Handmade in India

GANGAUR IDOL MAKING
TRADITIONALLY,during the festival of Gangaur,observed on the
second day after Holi,around March every year,women kneaded the
ashes from the Holika fire with mud to create idols of the goddess
Gangaur,who is associated with new crops and is worshipped for her
ability to confer conjugal bliss and good husbands.Today these have
been substituted with wooden and clay idols made by the Suthar
community and painted by the artists of the Matheran and Usta
communities.Although originally a festival of the upper caste
Thakurs,Rajputs,Baniyas and Brahmins,other castes have begun to
celebrate Gangaur too.Since the traditional idols were made to resemble
the worshipper,the local artisans have developed a repertoire of idols of
various sizes and varying dress.
Thus ,the doll made of the Baniya (business
community) wears a small head ornament known as
the rakhadi,a short blouse that reveals the stomach, a
fine odhni or veil,and a lehenga or wide skirt.On the
other hand,the idol made for Rajput women is dressed
in a kurti and kanchali, a two - piece blouse that
covers the stomach.All Gangaur idols,however,have
big eyes,sharp noses,slim waists,thin fingers and a
youthful appearence.
Production Clusters
Bikaner:
Bhujia market
Products
Gangaur
Isar
Tools
Chisels
Carving Tools
1 A semi-finished idol
of Gangaur in a sitting
position.The skirt cloth
is wrapped later.
2 Isar,the consort of
the goddess Gangaur,
Dressed differently in
simulation of thed
different castes of
Rajasthan.
3 A variation of
Isar.The idol is still to
be attired.
4 The goddess
Gangaur,dresseddd in
bridal finery with a
large lehenga,rakhadi
and gota-edged odhni.
MEGHWAL EMBROIDERY
DUE TO ITS location on the
migratory routes from Central
Asia,Africa,Afganistan and
Pakistan to India,The Thar Desert
has been subject to a variety of
cultural influences that have
shaped its crafts-notably
embroidery,bandhej,(tiedye),block
printing and pottery.
Despite the later division of the Thar region through
the creation of political boundaries,the crafts of the
Thar continue to share a common vocabulary and
sensibility,a phenomenon perhaps best exemplifiedd
by the embroidery and applique of the Meghwal,an
artisan community who proctice weaving,leather
tanning and wood work.The Meghwal migrated from
Pakistan to Kachchh and Rajasthan;a Significant
number have settled in the villages of the Bajju region
of Bikaner district.Embroidery forms a key
component of their visual culture as it is executed on
products that are worn or given during marriage and
on dowry objects.Consequently, the embroidery make
use of mirrors and is characterized by its refined
craftsmanship,dense coverage, rich colours,and
elaborated motifs and finished edges.Meghwal
embroidery may be broadlyd classified as pako,or
solid and permanent, and kacho,or temporary.
Inset Wall painting:the
peacock motif used in suf
embroidery.
Detail of a bokani,headscarf
embroidered for the
groom.The peacoak is
regarded as a noble bird and is
symbolic of a
bridegroom.Executed in suf
embroidery consisting of
triangular units done in surface
darning stitch.Stitched from
the reverse side over counted
threads of the base cloth,with
floss silk that rests on the face
side,covering the entire
surface of the unit and the
Women of the Meghwal community wearing a kanchali,blouse,that has
been embroidered by them.
The pako tradition utilizes geometrical forms,densely covered
embroidery of chain stitch variations and herringbone stitch,and block
printed outlines for the embroidery.Kacho embroidery is distinguished
by its use of counted thread work techniques such as
suf,kharek,kambhiri and mucca.Suf has triangular forms executed in
darning stitch;aggregates of triangles are used to create a variety of
motifs such as the peacocks,tree of life,temple and hill.Kharek,a
technique named after the date fruit,uses satin stitch filled in areas
outlined by double running stitch.kambhiri has double running
stitch,which is linear and grows in geometric progession.Mucca, a
technique borrowed from Muslim embroidery,refers to the use of gold
and silver thread which is couched on the fabric.
Fabric embroidered for making a
kanchali,blouse.The Sleeves are to be attached
on either side.A Typical and predominant motif
of suf work,the gul flower is made up of 4 bitta
units;a bitta is made of 2 triangular units of suf.
Production Clusters
Bikaner district:
Kolayat tehsil
Bajju village
Tools
Needle
Thread
Scissors
Products
Traditional;
Malir-shoulder cloth
for the groom
Bokani-groom`s
ceremonial scarf,worn
over a sofa
Rumal-ceremonial
square cloth
Kadbandhan-groom`s
waistband
Kanchali-blouse worn
by married women
khalechi-bag gifted to
the groom
Nolee-money belt
Batua-small purse
Thailo-bag for dowry
items
Comtemporary:
Garments,Bags
Purses,Pouchers
Cushion covers
Bed Covers