Indian Crafts

Traditional Craftsmanship in India has meant far more than skill with materials, more than manual dexterity in manipulating tools. It has meant a total operation involving the emotions, mind, body and the vibrant rhythm that such a coordination generates.

Crafts in India preserve certain values indispensable to mankind. A sense of dignity and a creative purpose symbolises the link with the past from which the craftsman continues to draw his inspiration. Aesthetics and function are integrated and decoration and ornamentation are not divorced from utility.

Millions in India are engaged in crafts and the tradition of handicrafts is evident in every Indian home. It is clear that nature dictates the changing harmony of day and night, the varying seasons and the life cycles, and in the past hand crafted objects were fashioned accordingly. Today, however, with increasing populations, better transport facilities and expanding markets, hand crafted items are made throughout the year and are available across the country.