Handicraft of Chattisgarh

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Handicraft of Chattisgarh

HandiCrafts

  • Indian words for handicrafts are commonly hastkala, hastshilp, dastkari, karigari, all meaning handiwork, but they also refer to objects made with craftsmanship, i.e., specialised skills of the hands which are also artistic.
  • The aesthetic content is an intrinsic part of such objects and means the object of utility has a value that goes beyond mere usage and is also pleasing to the eye.
  • Crafts are closely related to concept of form, pattern, design, usage, and these lead to its total aesthetic quality.

Handicraft of Chattisgarh

  • Handicraft of Chattisgarh are popularly known in the country, out of many crafts the traditional bamboo craft and the craft items made out of wood are more famous.
  • The Handicraft of Chattisgarh is connected to the economy of the state.
  • The Handicraft of Chattisgarh are, responsible for the revenue earning and the overall economy of the state as it provide self employment opportunities to poor and tribal people of Chattisgarh.
  • HandiCrafts of Chattisgarh also attract tourist not only from India but also from abroad.
  • The handicrafts of a particular village or area or region depicts the honest picture of the People, Culture and Festivals of the region.
  • Handicrafts are the essential part of People’s life and their daily work culture.
  • Handicrafts of Chattisgarh are mainly made by Bamboo work, Stone Carving, Wood carving and some ornamental work.
  • Till 2016, 4 Handicrafts and one Handlooms of Chattisgarh got Geographical Indication Tag.

Handicrafts of Chattisgarh that recognised Geographical Indication (GI) Tags:

  1. Bastar Dhokra (Logo)
  2. Bastar Iron Craft
  3. Bastar Wooden Craft
  4. Bastar Dhokra

Bastar Iron Craft

  • Lohshilp or wrought iron craft is one of the most unique and the oldest craft form in Bastar region.
  • It has an aesthetic appeal inspite of its simplistic form.Handicraft of Chattisgarh
  • The Bastar Iron Craft art originated from the ironsmith (Lohar) community that used to make equipments or iron tools for farming and hunting purposes of
  • Over the years, these craft has beautifully evolved into an artistic form and having its worldwide demand of unique work.
  • Baster iron craft unique work is mainly concentrated in Bastar district of Chattisgarh with Kondagaon, Umargaon and Gunagaon being the main and important centers of handicrafts.
  • The raw material used for the craft is predominantly recycled iron scrap, taken from household or market.
  • The main tools which are used include Dhukna Sar (furnace), Muthli (hammer), Chimtas (forceps), Sandasis (tongs) and Chenni (chisels). These tools are made locally by the lohars themselves.

Bastar Wooden Craft

  • The wooden crafts are most famous, beautiful and unique art of wooden carving of Bastar tribal.Handicraft of Chattisgarh
  • The products are idols, wall panels, furniture items etc. among the furniture items Deewan (Cot with box) is very famous and attractive since it involves the art of carving with different pictures of Bastar culture and other design of interest.
  • Theses wooden crafts are made out of the finest teak wood, sheshum, sagon,and shivna wood.
  • These handicrafts are generally exported to different places of the country, and it has demand even from foreign countries also.
  • The product made by the artisans of Bastar, basically tribal people were for their own use but nowadays they are making it for commercial use.
  • These products may also have some cultural importance to these people.

Bastar Dhokra

  • Dhokra crafts are made by casting bell metal (brass and bronze) manually through the vanishing wax technique.
  • These handicrafts include items like ornamented animals, tribal figures of varying sizes.
  • The process of making the moulds is as old as the craft. All the decoration is done with wax strings. Wax is the appropriate medium for this craft because of its unique softness and malleability. It can be drawn out in wires of required diameters and can be moulded into desired shapes.
  • These people worship sun, moon, fields, mountain, jungle, etc. which forms a major part of their designs and motifs.
  • The Dhokra art is a major attraction of Bastar.

Baster Dhokra (Logo)

Baster Dhokra (logo) of Dhokra Crafts is also got GI tag.

 

Other Crafts of Chattisgarh

  1. Sisal Fibre: Sisal leaves are abundantly available in the state. They are processed to produce a naturally white fibre that is soft to touch but at the same time has an incridable tensile strength. Sisal ropes sturdy in wet conditions ans so are used extensively on ships and boats.
  2. Cowrie Craft: It is the local name for shell work. Shells are used to decorte many items like bags, dresses, caps etc
  3. Bamboo Crafts: This is practiced in many area of state to make products like furniture. Ex: Nayayanpur Bamboo Project
  4. Stone Carving: It is done to make the deities for worshipping. Soapstone is the main material used for shaping and carving idols.
  5. Godna : The most ground breaking art form presently practiced by handful of women of Jamgala District. Ladies paint conventional tattoo motifs on textiles.
  6. Thumba: It is a craft that produced in baster region and instigated with the extensive use of hollow gourd shells.
  7. Bamboo work and Wood Carving also famous in Chattisgarh.
  8. Terracota has also found place in handi crafts of chattisgarh state.

Handloom that recognised GI tag from Chattisgarh

Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics

  • Champa silk saree is peculiar of Chattisgarh State. The saree is developed from wild tusar silk (Antheraea mylitta).
  • The texture of yarn is rough as a result the saree also has rough texture. The design patterning is done by contrast extra weft yarn on jacquard loom.
  • The design pattern is inspired by tribal motifs.
  • The product range devloped out of tusar silk includes wide range of saree, dress material, stole, dupatta and home furnishings.

Conclusion

The crafts and craftspeople of India are a deeply integrated part of folk and classical traditions and historical assimilations which together span many millennia. As articles made purely by hand for the daily use of both the common people in an agrarian economy and the urban elite, crafts reflect the cultural ethos of India. While the craftspeople have been cradled by the caste system, their skills were fostered by cultural and religious needs and the impetus provided by local, national and international trade. –JAYA JAITLY (Visvakarma’s Children)