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Rajasthan is well-known not only for its magnificent forts and palaces, but also for the delicate intricacies of its arts and crafts. Rajasthan is called the 'shopper's paradise' and not without reason. Colourful handicrafts of Rajasthan represent a rich cultural tradition. This tradition was
flourished by the support of erstwhile rulers or Maharajas, and today, they adorn the crowded bazaars of Rajasthan, inviting awe and excitement among a cross-section of connoisseurs.
Many of these handicrafts are unique and very popular among the tourists from all over the world.
The rich arts and handicrafts of Rajasthan include woodcraft, glass work, stone art, leather works, metal works, painting, Rajasthan jewelry, pottery & terracotta, textiles, carpets and rugs.
Blue pottery craft
The important center of blue pottery craft in Rajasthan is Jaipur. This type of craft prospered during the reign of Maharaja Ram Singh. The materials used for making the blue pottery are quartz, sodium sulphate, raw glaze and multani clay. They are painted in blue, white and green. The most prominent designs are the animal figure patterns, the conventional floral patterns and hand made patterns. The various articles such as tiles, ashtray, lamp shades, flower pots and jars are developed using this craft.
Handmade jewelry
Meenakari showcases include the enamelwork on gold and silver. Its origin was in Iran, and it requires immense concentration and skill, as it involves detailed work. Jaipur is popular for its Meenakari works. The traditional jewelry that uses the Meenakari work includes bajuband, rakhri, bala, timamyan and gokhru.
Marble crafts
There are very fascinating statues of gods and goddesses created with the marble carvings. Jaipur is the main centre to have a glimpse or possession of those exquisite marbles. The lavishly elegant marble crafts in Rajasthan can be observed in vases, furniture, sculptures, fountains, statues, tabletops, wall hangings and fireplaces. These decorated items have the scenes from the Hindu mythology and Mughal durbars on them.
Miniature paintings
The miniature paintings of Rajasthan were flourished with the backing of the rulers and kings. They feature the colourful pictures painted with the gleaming materials, such as gold and silver and watercolours, on the handmade papers.
Mojaris
Rajasthani mojaris or jutis or pagarkhiyas are the leather shoes adorned with intricate embroidery works. Jaipur and Jodhpur contain the well-known leather footwear centers. The design and decoration varies, depending upon the region. In Jodhpur, you will find the heavy embroidery work and bolder colours. The mojaries produced in Jaipur have subtle colours.
Rajasthan quilts
You must shop for the feather-light and feather-soft quilts in Jaipur. They are very rich in perfection and quality. The velvet printed and cotton block-printed quilts keep you warm. Jaipuri razai are very popular for their feather-light weight and softness, which adds to the warmth of comfort.
Textile crafts
The textile crafts of Rajasthan include embroidery, tie and dye in the fabric and block prints. The tie and dye effect can be obtained by tying the fabric into small points with the threads, and then dyeing them. The knotted portions of the fabric remain untouched. The fabric can be tied and dyed for many times to add various designs and colours. The hand-block printing in Rajasthan is the eco-friendly method of imparting prints on the textiles, particularly on cotton.
Wooden furniture
Rajasthan is also popular for its wooden carved furniture. You can find the beautifully painted furniture such as doors, caskets, chairs and screens in Kishangarh, Jodhpur, etc. The wooden furniture can be found in distinct styles, in different parts of Rajasthan. The exquisite latticework on the furniture endows them with a rich and perennial appeal to the people of refined tastes.
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