An interesting variation of a form of iron-smithy that was used originally to make agricultural implements, iron artefacts are created by the lohars or iron-smiths (loha = iron) in the state of Chattisgarh. (Chattisgarh was earlier a part of the large central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.) This craft is practised in and around the […]
“…like the tribal sculptors, who praise the ‘direct’ method of casting (hollow casting) illustrated in this exhibition, it bears also a deeper, more anxious significance for the artist, since in the interval between the drawing off (of the wax) and the pouring in (of the metal) his creation has become void and can be recovered […]
Issue #002, Monsoon, 2019 ISSN: 2581- 9410 Tucked away into a remote corner of Rajasthan is a colony of Gaduliya Lohars, who’ve […]
Armies of the Rajputs, Mughals and Tipu Sultan were renowned for their weapons. Every state had its own forging unit and the metals were locally procured and crafted. Not only where they the sharpest and strongest but each was a work of art, carved and bejeweled. The range and magnificence of the arms found in […]
Beaten copper ware is made prolifically in Uttarakhand, especially Almora district from where Suresh Lal Tamta-who works with the material-hails. Suresh Lal Tamta learnt the ancestral craft from his father, working with him since he was 10-12 years old. Each family has its own workshop. The Tamta people, he says, traditionally work with copper. Almora […]
Issue #005, Summer, 2020 ISSN: 2581- 9410 In today’s India across villages, hamlets, tribal swathes and urban fringes, in the most […]
The landmark Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 showcased the best resources and products from over 33 British dominions. Inaugurated by Queen Victoria it received over 5.5 million visitors – an unprecedented record for an exhibition. The comprehensive catalogue that accompanied the exhibition while describing the magnificent array displayed at the Indian pavilion contained these cryptic […]
The Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) skyline is dotted with vimanas and every street hosts a temple or two. Peals of bells greet you five times a day. This small town was wrecked with religious riots in 1990 when Hindu fundamentalists attacked and destroyed the Babri Masjid. Today, this extremely violent recent history is not much in […]
DESIGN & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF THE MORADABAD BRASSWARE INDUSTRY A Proposal by NIFT Accessory Design Department Background In 1997, Prof. Jatin Bhatt of NIFT presented an idea of making available professional design expertise to the ‘Handicraft’ (Brassware) Industry at Moradabad. The central problem being addressed through this initiative was that quality professionals are metro centered. […]
Anees Ahmed S/o Late Mr.Ghanil Ahmed learned the craft of bidri from his father. According to the artisan the craft has been in practice for over 400 years created at the time of the Bahmani Dynasty. Even though Anees is a graduate his interest in the craft tradition led him to make bidriware his career. […]