Art and Craft in India:
India is a cradle for some of the most exquisite arts and crafts and the handicrafts exported from India are held in very high regard. The Indian handicrafts are a fine example of delicate and intricate carving, unusual shapes and sizes and bright colors. These handicrafts add a unique rustic flavor to the homes and reflect the natural talent of the Indian artists. Every region in India is famous for a specific form of art and craft.India is a land of diverse cultures. The variations in physical, climatic conditions and the extent of exposure to other cultures have greatly influenced the traditions and culture of the different regions. There is an underlying basic factor common to the whole of India, with variations in the practices based on their local needs and influences. Further, the greatness of India has been in accepting the best from all the invaders and intermingling the new customs and styles with the existing - this is visible in all aspects - music, dance, painting, sculptures, and architecture.
This article, an excerpt from the introduction to the book "The Art and Architecture of India" by Benjamin Rowland puts it all in a nutshell.
The history of India and its art has been so bound up with the geographic nature of this vast continent that something must be said of these physical characteristics. India has a kind of impregnable geographic isolation. It is in the shape of a great sealed funnel depending from the heartland of Asia. This peculiar shape of the peninsula made for an inevitable retention and absorption of all the racial and cultural elements that poured into it. The peninsula is bounded on the west by the Indian Ocean; on the east by the Bay of Bengal. Along the northern frontier India is almost sealed off from the Asiatic mainland by the rocky curtain of the Himalayas from Baluchistan to Assam. The only openings in this formidable natural fortification are the various passes of the north-west, such as the famous Khyber and Bolan passes, which wind through the mountains separating India from the Iranian plateau. Through these gaps came all the migrating tribes and conquerors that made themselves masters of the rich plain of India.
The cultural divisions of India proper have always been determined and dominated by the great river systems, the watersheds of the Indus and Ganges, the Deccan plateau and South India.
Climate, no less than geography has played its part in the development of the peculiarly indigenous traits of Indian history and art. All the races of martial character have grown up in the dry and hilly districts of north-west and centre, whereas the fertile plains of Bengal and South have been inhabited by peaceful and unwarlike cultivators.
The overpowering nature of India has in a way forced upon the inhabitants an inability to act, a situation responsible for the Indian races having become lost in religiosity.
The mystery of Indian myths and Indian art lies partly in the fact that it suggests rather than states. It could truly be said that Indian symbols of art voiced the same truth as Indian philosophy and myth. In India, all art, like all life, is given over to religion. Indian art is life, as interpreted by religion and philosophy. Indian art may, in a general way, be described as theological, hieratic, or, perhaps best of all as traditional. The purpose of Indian art, like all traditional art, is primarily to instruct men in the great first causes, which according to the seers, govern the material, spiritual and celestial worlds. Art is dedicated to communicating these great truths to mankind and, by the architectural, sculptural and pictorial reconstruction of the powers that maintain the stars in their courses.
Artistic Bend:
From the smallest artifact to the most gigantic creations, the Indian artisans have mesmerized every art connoisseur across the world. The handicrafts range from wooden artifacts, clay pots, terracotta products, metallic ornaments, sculptures and glass pieces. The Indian embroidery and fabrics also have a great demand in the foreign markets. One of the major forms of arts and crafts in India is the pottery. The Indian potters can certainly be considered as one of the most gifted artists in the world. There are different styles of pottery, which helps in making various types of pots and other related products. The potters not only make the pots in different shapes but also provide various dimensions, designs and intricate paintings on the pots. The major forms of pottery include a kind of jug, which is known as the Bengali Surai. Another style of pottery is known as Khurja Pottery, which belongs to the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Khurja pottery is distinct for its bright colors and designs.
The terracotta artifacts are a symbol of arts and crafts in India. It is made by a combination of earth and water, which is then baked on low heat in a traditional Indian kiln. The artists first mould the objects of mud by hand or on a wheel and are then placed in an open oven. To provide a smooth finish to the articles made of terracotta, the artist rubs and polishes the surface of the articles with the help of wooden palettes or stones. The Indian fabrics, mainly cotton and silk and the embroideries on these fabrics have also earned huge fame and recognition. The traditional costume of the women in India is the saree. The silk sarees are usually very expensive and are worn on special occasions or festivals. Some of the most popular types of silk sarees include "Kanjeevaram" that come from the village of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, "Paithani" that are famous from the town of Paithan in Maharashtra and Mysore silk sarees that are famous from the city of Mysore in Karnataka.These are only a few gems from the infinite treasure of arts and crafts in India. Every small village, town and city in India has a particular art or craft associated with it.