|
The Richness of Rajasthan -
Rajasthani Arts and Crafts
Rajasthan is among the richest
states in the country so far as
the field of arts and crafts in
concerned. May be it was a
result of the war-like lifestyle
of the people of Rajasthan which
sharpened the creative senses,
artistic skills and inspired
them to create the most opulent
and richest of treasures. Stone,
clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac,
glass, brass, silver, gold and
textiles were given the most
brilliant forms.
Art flourished in this region as
far back as 2nd-1st centuries BC
and continued over the
centuries. In Baroli, in the
Hadoti region, presence of
several sculpture proves that a
regular art school existed in
the 10th century. The cave
paintings, terracotta and other
stone sculptures excavated at
different sites corroborate
this. Each period of history saw
its own contribution to the
thriving art scene. History of
Rajasthan reveals that the kings
and their nobles were patrons of
arts and crafts they encouraged
their craftsman in activities
ranging from wood and marvel
carving to weaving, pottery and
painting. And art seems to have
been an obsession with the
inhabitants of this parched
landscape. The desire to
decorate their surroundings was
very strong. Nothing was
overlooked animals from the
regal elephant to the lovely
donkey, the great places and the
inner chambers of forbidding
forts were decorated with as
much attention as were the walls
of humble mud huts. The
inhabitants were not too far
behind when it came to adorning
themselves and it was not only
the women who beautified
themselves the heroic warriors
extended equal attention to
their clothing and armour they
went into battles with
meticulously ornamented swords
and shields. The horses and
elephants that took the warriors
to battles received the same
care jeweled saddles and
intricate silver howdas were
just some of the ornaments that
were used to adorn them.
For women there was infinite
variety tie and dye fabrics,
embroidered garments, enamel
jewellery inlayed with precious
and semi-precious stones,
leather jootis. They put their
lives indoors to very good use
by decorating their surroundings
on the walls of their mud-huts
were painted geometric designs
as well as simple motifs like
flowers and birds. Also the
women-folk made intricate
patterns on floors, shaped straw
and twine to turn into the most
beautiful as well as functional
items plus delayed great talents
with the needle and thread and
papier mache.
When the Rajputs came to
dominate this region, it was a
period of constant strife. They
were almost always in battle
with their neighbouring
kingdoms. When a kingdom fell
and a new ruler took over, it
was time for change paintings
depicting the new ruler's
victory, scenes from the battle
and processions of the
victorious march were faithfully
reproduced on the walls and
handmade paper. Other than the
paintings, the new rulers also
influenced the existing crafts
of that area. Despite their love
for the battlefield, the Rajputs
have been patrons of art and
also their 350 years of contact
with the Mughals led to a very
strong influence on their lives
and arts. Quite a few folk arts
received the refinement and
delicacy of the Mughal courts.
They borrowed freely from the
Agra and Delhi courts and in
some cases, also sent their
skilled craftsmen to adorn the
Mughal courts. The Rajputs
rulers encourage the artisans to
set up schools for the
propagation of their crafts.
Each Rajput principality had its
own unique craft and to this
day, every little town and
village has its share of lanes
where the craftsmen can be found
practicing a craft handed down
by his ancestors. Some of the
popular crafts are:
Meenakari:
Raja Man Singh of Amer brought
this intricate craft to Jaipur
by inviting five skilled enamel
workers from Lahore. The art
prospered over the years and is
today renowed the world over.
Jaipur meenakari is famed for
its delicacy and its use of
colours. Pratapgarh and
Nathdwara are two other centres
which produce fine quality
enamel work.
Jewellery:
Rajasthan is rich in jewellery,
each area having its own unique
style. Some of the traditional
designs are rakhri, timaniyan,
bala, bajuband, gajra, gokhru,
jod, etc. Tribal women wear
heavy, simply, crafted jewellery
and seem to carry the weight
(almost up to 5 kgs ) without
much discomfort almost all the
time. Men too wear their share
of ornaments in the form of
chockers and earrings.
Ivory:
The ivory bangles that most
Rajasthani women wear are
considered auspicious. Ivory is
also inlaid and shaped into
intricate items of great beauty.
Miniature paintings were also
executed on ivory.
Lac and Glass:
Lac bangles are made in bright
colours and sometimes inlaid
with glass. Other decorative and
functional items are also
available.
Sandalwood and
Wood:
Carved wood is presented in a
wide range of objects and is
simple and inexpensive.
Stones:
Statues on religious themes are
carved all over Rajasthan and in
several cities there are still
entire lanes where the stone
carvers can be seen giving final
touches to statues or even
pillars.
Other crafts like blue pottery,
handblock printing, tie and dye,
terracotta sculptures, painting
on camel hide, embroidery, cloth
painting, carpets, durries,
inlay work on brass and wood are
to be found all over Rajasthan. |
