Handmade in India

HANDMADE PAPER PRODUCTS
The History of Handmade paper dates to 105AD,with its
origin in China.However,in India paper was made from
cellulose fibres during 3rd century BC.The handmade
paper industry that had flourished in India during the
Mughal era gradually declined with the establishment of
paper mills during 18th and 19th
centuries.Nevertheless,the art of Handmade papermaking
was revived under the inspiration of Mahatma
Gandhi.Handmade objects have been a trademark of
Auroville.A range of handmade paper products which
include lampshades,greeting cards,stationery and
accessories are made in Auroshilpam,the industrial zone
of Auroville.The grades of paper vary from thin to very
thick drawing paper.The most successful items are the
special papers:bagasse,bamboo,rice
husk,gunny,straw,algae and tea leaves in paper pulp so
that an abstract design is created on the paper when it
finally emerges.Another type used in marbled
1. Freshly plucked flowers are pressed by placing
them in white paper put between cardboard sheets
in white paper put between cardboard sheets which
are kept under pressure in a clamp for several
days.A variety of pressed leaves,grass,flowers and
stalks are the main decorative elements of the paper
products.
2. Handmade paper showing the translucent quality of
paper as well as the pipal leaf`s vein sturcture.
paper with which stationery items are made.Marbling is a
Japanese art of abstract painting done on water.Every sheet of
paper is an individual work of art and varies both in shade and
design.The unique feature of these products is the decoration
done using tiny,delicate looking pressed flowers leaves which are
grown in house,by gardens methods are remarkably simple.The
paper cutting is done with simple cutters.In the case of
lampshades,paper is pasted on simple welded metal frames.In
another,imported Japanese paper is hand torn into small two-inch
squares of multiple colours and made into a colourful collage on
a white paper background.
A range of stationary products made from handmade paper.
Organic materials and nature are predominant themes for
developing products.
Production Clusters
Viluppuram
district:
Auroville:
Auroshilpam
Products
Books
Stationery
Lampshades
Tools
Electric grinding tubs
Metal mesh
Felt sheets
Mechanical roller
Cutters
Binding equipment
Lamination
equipment
Plywood clamps
The translucency of
handmade paper lends
itself very well for
lampshades used in
combination with
wooden strips.
Tray made with laminated handmade paper. Fresh
flowers, leaves and stalks are pressed in a clamp. Pressed
flowers and leaves are composed on a white handmade
paper, fixed with an adhesive and laminated for
waterproofing.