Arts and crafts of Himachal Pradesh

2021-03-27T06:17:02Z

2409:4055:707:8233:51:1B6:DA8B:D60F:

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{unreferenced|date=September 2015}}
Among '''arts and crafts''' that come out of '''[[Himachal Pradesh]]''' state in [[India]] are carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork and paintings. Pashmina shawl is the product which is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Colourful Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people. One tribe, ''Dom'', is expert in manufacturing [[bamboo]] items like [[box]]es, [[Couch|sofas]], [[chair]]s, [[basket]]s and racks. Metalware of the state include [[tool|utensils]], ritualistic [[Bowl (vessel)|vessels]], [[cult image|idols]], [[gold]] and [[silver]] [[jewellery|jewelleries]].

[[Weaving]], [[Wood carving|carving]], [[painting]], or chiselling is considered to be the part of the life of ''Himachalis''. Himachal is well known for designing shawls, especially in [[Kullu]]. The [[architecture]], [[Object (philosophy)|object]]s, [[Retailing|shops]], [[museum]]s, [[Art museum|galleries]] and craftsmen charm with a variety perfected over time.

Women take an active part in [[pottery]] and men in [[carpentry]]. For ages, wood has been used in Himachal in the construction of [[temple]]s, [[home]]s, idols etc.

==Weaving==
[[File:Himachali person wearing traditional Cap.jpg|thumb|Himachali youth wearing traditional hand woven cap ( Kullu, Himachal Pradesh)]]
The extreme winters of Himachal necessitated [[wool]] [[weaving]]. Nearly every household in Himachal owns a pit-loom{{Citation needed|reason=You need an appropriate source to prove this statement|date=June 2017}} .Wool is considered as pure and is used as a ritual cloth. Such as, during a marriage ceremony, bride and bridge groom are wrapped in a wool shawl to protect them from the evil eye. The well known woven object is the [[shawl]], ranging from fine pashmina to the [[Granularity|coarse]] desar. Kullu is famous for its [[shawl]]s with striking patterns and vibrant [[color]]s.

Himachali caps are of typical styles and they differ region to region.
In [[Kinnaur]], shawls, saris and trousers are woven in wool. The [[shawl]]s woven in [[Rampur, Himachal Pradesh|Rampur]], known as Rampur chaddar, are known for their soft [[surface roughness|texture]] and durability. In [[Chamba district]], [[weaving]] assumes a chequered pattern. Besides [[shawl]]s, [[carpet]]s and [[blanket]]s are also a vital part of the Himachali lifestyle.

==Wood craft==
Himachal is the one of those areas in [[India]] where wood has played a significant role as a structural material. [[Pine]], [[Cedrus deodara]], [[walnut]], horse [[chestnut]] and wild black mulberry are found in abundance in [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Places famous for woodcraft are [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]], [[Tisza]], [[Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh|Kalpa]], [[Kinnaur district]] and [[Kullu]]. Village homes are constructed with carvings on [[door]]s, [[window]]s, [[balcony]] panels etc. This can be found in remote areas of the state, especially in the districts of [[Kinnaur district|Kinnaur]] and [[Kullu]] .

==Metal craft==
Objects crafted with [[metal]]s fulfil the ritualistic needs of Himachalis. In 600 AD, the courts of the Himachali kings had mastered the craftsmen who were specialised in metalware. [[Antique]] metal statuettes are one of the most significant aspects in many temples of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. The [[statue]]s of [[god]]s and goddesses also appear as ''mohras'' or in metal plaques.

In fact, metalcraft in the state grew around [[temple]]s and [[palace]]s. Repousse technique was made in use to create the temple doors of ''Vajreshwari Devi Ashi mon'', ''Jwalamukhi'' in [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], ''Bhimkali'' in [[Sarahan]] and ''Chandika Devi'' in [[Kinnaur district]].

A canopy made of gold at the Jwalamukhi temple is one of the example of Himachal's metalwork which believed to have been gifted by Mughal emperor [[Akbar the Great]]. The metalwork of [[Kinnaur]] depicts a unique synthesis of [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]]. Brass is often used for trending household utensils. Some of the towns where good metal work is found are [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]], [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]], [[Reckong Peo]], [[Rohru]], [[Sarahan]] and [[Jogindernagar]].

[[Category:Culture of Himachal Pradesh]]

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Arts and crafts of Himachal Pradesh