Handmade in India

Papier-mache horses.The horses are used at fairs for rides.
PAPIER-MACHE
Production Clusters
Allahabad district:
Allahabad
Kydganj
Agra district:
Agra
Products
Idols
Horses
Figurines
Masks
Tools
Hammer
Knife
Scissors
Moulds
PAPER-MACHIE CRAFTSMEN,Prajapati or potters by
caste,mould wet paper stips stuck together with glue into huge
hollow horses,idols and statues.The idols are made during
Dussehra and Durga Puja ceremonies.The head of an idol or
statue is made either from clay or from a papier-mache base
coated with clay.Depending on the shape needed ,the mould is
either an earthern pot,or a tin drum.Gaily painted horses are
sold at village fairs as toys for little children.for the horse`s
body, a bamboo armature is used.The craftsmen also make
smaller forms and the pulp is cast in terracotta moulds,joined
and dried or moulded freehand.The products are used for
religious functions,marriages and village entertainment
programmes.Papier-mache is essentially a traditional craft in
village homes.Women pulp newspaper and multani
mitti,fuller`s earth,to make containers for the kitchen and
sometimes little toys for their children.For moulds they use
their metal utensils.On a large scale,papier-mache toys are
made during festivals to be sold at fairs.The craftsmen recall
making a 80 feet statue of Hanuman for the Kumbh Mela,Holy
festival celebrated in Allahabad.
1. Idol of Goddess
Durga in the
making.The face
and hands have
been finished in
clay.
2. Realistic papier
mache figures
made for an
exhibition.
3. A younger
member of the
craftsman`s
family helping
to paint the
papier-mache
horses.