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Visit our exclusive Lane of Collectives.
Each piece in 'OUR COLLECTION' is carefully handpicked and is a testament of our journey to explore craft at its source & our commitment to innovation through collective enrichment. Currently, these items are exclusively available on a pre-order basis. For information regarding available variables, B2B orders and Collaboration status please refer to the product description OR fill the form at end of this page.
Explore Craft
Rug Weaving/Panja Dhurrie
Warp (Taana) and weft (Baana) are the two basic components of Handweaving, they are the two sets of threads that are interlaced at right angles to create a textile. The warp threads are the ones that run lengthwise, while the weft threads run across the width of the fabric.
Panja weave is a traditional weaving technique practiced in several parts of India, for making Dhurries, Ligh woven Rugs etc. The name Panja originated from a metallic claw-like tool, ‘Panja,’ used for beating the weft threads to increase the stability of the rug. Our suppliers factory at Banskhoh Village in Jaipur creates contemporary items using these light rugs, namely Bags, Cushions, Lamp shades etc. This factory employs native villagers and approximately 80% of the workers includes women.
Photo Location:
Banskhoh Village Jaipur
Panja weave is a traditional weaving technique practiced in several parts of India, for making Dhurries, Ligh woven Rugs etc. The name Panja originated from a metallic claw-like tool, ‘Panja,’ used for beating the weft threads to increase the stability of the rug. Our suppliers factory at Banskhoh Village in Jaipur creates contemporary items using these light rugs, namely Bags, Cushions, Lamp shades etc. This factory employs native villagers and approximately 80% of the workers includes women.
Photo Location:
Banskhoh Village Jaipur
Pattachitra Folk Painting "GI Tagged"
Original Pattachitra follows a set of rules, a floral border is a must around the paintings, and so is the use of natural colors, on a handmade canvas. The paintings are executed primarily in profile with elongated eyes, with the use of solid shades, the paintings end up depicting stark emotional expressions. Every year, during Debasnana Purnima in Jagannath Temple, the deities are believed to take a bath with 108 pots of cold water to fight the heat of summer, afterwards, the deities supposedly fall sick for a period of 15 days known as ‘Anasara.’ Because of the deities’ absence from public view, some of the finest Chitrakars are gathered to make three Pattachita paintings of the three deities - namely Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra - for the public to pay obeisance. These painting are called Anasar Patti.
Photo Location:
Raghurajpur, Orissa
Photo Location:
Raghurajpur, Orissa
Ujjain Batik Printing
Batik printing is a resist-dyeing technique that involves applying wax to fabric to create intricate patterns and designs. The process involves preparing the Fabric by selecting high-quality cotton or silk fabric and thoroughly washing and drying to remove any impurities. This is followed by designing the Pattern using a tool called a tjanting, which is a small copper container with a spout. The tjanting is used to apply hot wax to the fabric, following the desired pattern. The wax acts as a resist, preventing the dye from penetrating the covered areas. Once the wax is applied, the fabric is dipped into a dye bath. Ujjain Batik is known for its vibrant colors, often achieved using natural dyes extracted from plants and minerals. The fabric may undergo multiple rounds of waxing and dyeing to create complex, multi-colored patterns. After the dyeing process is complete, the fabric is boiled in hot water to remove the wax. This reveals the intricate patterns created by the resist technique. The final product is then rinsed and dried.
Photo Location: Bhairavgarh, Ujjain
Photo Location: Bhairavgarh, Ujjain
Dhokra Tribal Craft
Dhokra means casting of bell metal through a lost wax process. During the process, the space created between the core and the clay layer is filled with molten metal, which is then allowed to cool down and solidify after it vaporizes. The outer clay mold is cracked open, revealing the beauty of the final sculpture. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still continuing in tribal belts. One of the earliest known lost wax artefacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-daro. The traditional Dokhra is created in Kuliana and Khunta in Mayurbhanj, Arakata in Nayagarh, Narsinghpur and Baragarhsingh in Cuttack, Hijri and Gadibuda in Rayagada and Puttumgarh in Kandhamal district by Tribal artisans.
Photo Location:
Mayurbhanj, Orissa
Photo Location:
Mayurbhanj, Orissa
Etikopakka Laquer Toys 'GI Tagged'
Etikoppaka, a small village on the banks of varaha river is renowned for a rich tradition of crafting exquisite wooden toys known as "Etikoppaka Bommala." The primary material used is "Ankudu" wood, scientifically known as Wrightia tinctoria. This wood is chosen for its lightweight, fine grain, and sustainability. The process begins with selecting the right kind of wood, which is then seasoned to ensure durability. The logs are cut into the desired shapes and sizes using simple tools, the cut pieces are then mounted on a lathe machine, a device that rotates the wood, allowing artisans to shape it with precision. The final step involves using colored Lacquer, both laquer and colors are derived from natural sources making it safe eco friendly and sustainable. Finally, intricate details are added using fine chisels, and the toys are polished to perfection. Each toy is a unique piece of art, reflecting the artisan’s dedication and creativity.
Photo Location:
Etikopakka, Andhra Pradesh
Photo Location:
Etikopakka, Andhra Pradesh
Chanderi Silk Weaving "GI Tagged"
Chanderi weaving is believed to have founded by Lord Krishna’s cousin, Shishupal. The Chanderi produces three kinds of fabrics: Pure Silk, Chanderi Cotton and Silk Cotton. The transparency is a unique feature, which is not commonly or found in any of the textile product all over the country, this transparency is the consequence of Single Flature quality of yarn used. Flature yarn is the quality of yarn when the glue of the raw yarn is not taken out. The degumming of the raw yarn gives shine and transparency to the finished fabric.
Photo Location:
Chanderi Village, Madhya Pradesh
Photo Location:
Chanderi Village, Madhya Pradesh
Kashmiri Kani Weave "GI Tagged"
The Kani weave is done with Pashmina yarn and Kani sticks (wooden oblong spools). The Pashmina goat, found in Ladakhs mountains, provides the yarn for this weave. The aesthetic recreations of design found on Kani weaves are inspired by nature and woven with a "Twill Tapestry Technique" featuring double interlocking, wherein both the warp and weft yarns are mounted diagonally on to each other on the loom. The weaver following a code prepared by the designer brings life to the weave with numerous Kani Sticks loaded with yarn of different colors. There is no embroidery. Neither does the bobbin shuttle from one side to the other of the warp.
Photo Location:
Kanihama village, Kashmir
Photo Location:
Kanihama village, Kashmir
Jaipuri Meenakari/Enamel work
‘Meenakari’ is the technique of decorating the article with enamel. It is an intricate and laborious process. Mostly red, green, blue and white are used. Combination of these with the color of gold is called ‘Panchranga’. These colors are applied with thin needles or spokes in the engraved pattern. The piece has to be fired as many times as the number of colors used, this could be done in an electric kiln or on the coils of the domestic heater using a thin iron mesh. This fuses the color to the gold. Once all the colors are filled in and fired, the piece is scrubbed with a filer to enhance the gold outline of the pattern. Then this is boiled with a mild acid for sheen and sent to the next karigar for stone-setting.
Photo Location:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Photo Location:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Maheshwari Handweaving "GI Tagged"
Non-handloom enthusiasts often confuse between a Maheshwari and Chanderi saree. While Chanderi Saree can be woven with both warp and weft in Silk yarn, Maheshwari weaving mostly have silk warp but the weft is cotton. Silk in both warp and weft of Maheshwaris is very rare. Designs in Maheshwaris are created in the warp while in Chanderis, the designs are created using extra weft technique and it called Buttis, that adorns the body of the saree. Maheshwaris, the border of the saree plays the most crucial role in design. Maheshwaris DO NOT have buttis in the body. The body is either plain, checkered or striped.
Photo Location:
Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Photo Location:
Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Kashmiri papier-mâché "GI Tagged"
The process of making papier-mâché involves two steps: Sakhtsazi and Naqashi. Sakhtasazi, the initial stage of preparation, includes the making of the figurine from the mixture of paper pulp with the help of rice straw and copper sulfate. In the final step of Naqashi, several coats of paint are applied and the figurine is decorated. Artists prefer to use organic colors to paint their mesmerizing products. The entire procedure, which is done manually, requires much care and deliberation and is tedious and time-consuming.
Photo Location:
Srinagar, Kashmir
Photo Location:
Srinagar, Kashmir
Lacquer Craft of Rajasthan
Lacquer craft is unique in its process and output. The raw lacquer, which is a kind of resin, is heated and molded into the desired shape—be it a bangle, box, or any other decorative piece. The molded lac is then polished until it shines, and finally, it's painted with bright colors and intricate designs, making each piece a work of art. In Jaipur,Maniharon Ka Rasta at Tripoliya Bazar is one of the prime marketplace, here one can see a lot of crafts men and women showing their expertise in Lacquer art.
Photo Location:
Maniharon ka Raasta, Jaipur
Photo Location:
Maniharon ka Raasta, Jaipur
Mesh Carving (Jali Work) of Jaipur
The term ‘Jaali’ means mesh work made from wood, stone or metal. Jali work is a delicate hand carving craft. It is presented in different sizes, shapes and designs. Most of the times the jali work is made of geometric shapes or floral designs on the animal figures and on the buildings. The Mesh work was initially used in architecture abundantly as a Stone/Marble Jaali work. They are made on doors and windows as a screen. Jali work was one of the important parts of architecture in northern and north-western India since long time. It flourished well at the time of Mughals. These stone Jaali works are seen on different architectures of India, some examples of Jaali work includes: Taj Mahal (Agra), Hawa Mahal (Jaipur), The Mausoleum of Saint Salim Chisti (Fatehpur Sikri), Humayun’s Tomb (Delhi), Adalaj step well (Ahmedabad), Sidi Saiyad mosque (Ahmedabad), Junagarh Fort (Bikaner), Rajasthan etc.
Photo Location:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Photo Location:
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Kashmiri Hand Embroidery (Kashidakari) "GI Tagged"
Kashida is an embroidery style from Kashmir that is practiced by menfolk of the region. The craftsmen use a thimble called Nyatth, on the fourth finger of the right hand. This is used to push the needle into thick cloth. ‘Zangvaitth’ is the posture in which the embroiderers sit while working. They sit with their knees up, with their back against a wall. A thick hard cushion or a wooden plank at an angle, act as backrests. Men are said to be mostly working on Kashmiri embroidery while women prepare the yarn. There are three styles of embroidery followed in Kashmir; Sozni and Rezkari, It is mainly done on Shawls using single-strand and sometimes double strands of silk or fine pashmina floss; Aari style, also called Zalakdozi employs hook or aari to fill in motifs with chain stitch. Motifs here are the well-known flower design finely worked in concentric rings of chain stitch; Kashmiri Couching, This is done by twisting 4-6 strands of thread on the right side and couching it with a single thread of the same color.
Photo Location:
Srinagar, Kashmir
Photo Location:
Srinagar, Kashmir
Rickshaw Painting of Dhaka
"The art on the cart" Rickshaw painting in Dhaka has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. What are the three types of rickshaw artists in Bangladesh?
Rickshaw artists of the first group paint exquisite floral motifs and pictures of movie stars on plastic sheets, rickshaw artists of the second group paint thematic pictures on plates of corrugated iron, and rickshaw artists of the third group paint birds and floral motifs.
Photo Location: Dhaka Bangladesh
Rickshaw artists of the first group paint exquisite floral motifs and pictures of movie stars on plastic sheets, rickshaw artists of the second group paint thematic pictures on plates of corrugated iron, and rickshaw artists of the third group paint birds and floral motifs.
Photo Location: Dhaka Bangladesh
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