Handicrafts India

Handicrafts have been the soul of Indian lifestyle. With a background that dates back to Indus Valley Civilization, handicraft is considered as a means of adding colors to life. It was in this civilization that the first traces of handicrafts were found. From time immemorial, the theme and concept of handicraft designs have been spinning around religious believes, ideations, demands of royal people and foreign trade purposes. All these have given a new identity to the forms of handicrafts in the India. In fact, handicraft tradition in India has withstand various invasions; still, it managed to flourish as the craftsmen always welcomed new ideas and incorporated them for generating creative imitations.

After Indus Valley Civilization, it was the Vedic age that has mention about pottery art, pottery makers, weaving and wood crafting. In fact, Rig Veda clearly states the beauty of pottery made from clay, metal and wood. Then, one can catch glimpse of Indian handicraft’s vivacity in the Mauryan Empire. The 84 thousand Stupas, its carvings and women figurines with jewelry speak about the importance of art in that time. During that time, handicrafts were also considered as a part of adding splendor to the places and daily life. Even, the iron pillars of Ashoka’s time are known to be he masterpieces of art form.

The post Mauryan Era saw various changes in the field of art and handicrafts. From pottery to weaving, jewelry designing, metal work, sculpture making, stone and wooden carvings, everything saw the influence of dynasties taking over. Along with this, the foreign effect also spoke in the form of newer designs. The handicraft people were flexible enough to accept the changes and develop a new product out of that. This field also witnessed the influence of British demands. On an overall basis, the legacy of Indian handicraft has passed on from various hands to a well-established form of art.