The Artisans Blog

Legacy Through The Ages- Channapatna Woodcraft

Situated 60kms off Bangalore, this quaint, rustic rural area in Karnataka is noted for its expertise in crafting wooden artifacts- toys to be precise. These wooden toys and crafts are famous not just in India but across the globe and are widely exported.

Origin of this traditional craft dates to the era of Tipu Sultan’s rule about two centuries ago. It is said that he invited artisans from Persia to visit and train local artisans in this field. This how now become an age-old tradition and heritage of Channapatna region to craft wooden artifacts.

Characteristics of Channapatna Woodcraft:

For as long as this art form existed, Channapatna woodcraft, especially toy-making has been making use of ivory wood as the medium to craft on. Artists continued to maintain this legacy along with another striking feature of using natural pigments for coloring, hence making them very eco-friendly.

Did you know that this craft of wooden toys has been given Geographical Indicator (GI) status?

The process of Wood crafting:

As mentioned earlier, traditional artisans often use Ivory wood for carving and rarely make use of Rosewood and Sandalwood.

They procure their raw material from the local market which readily supplies them with adequate quantities of wood. However, deforestation has made the supplies of wood rather limited.

The wood is then seasoned for about 2 to 3 months and then chiseled into desired shapes and sizes. This is the toughest part of the entire process and requires exquisite craftsmanship. Once shaped, the piece is rubbed with sandpaper to give it a smooth finish.

For the final finishing of the woodcraft, lacquer is applied and evenly spread on it which gives it a glossy and shiny finish.

Our unique Channapatna Collection:

We at ArtisansCrest proudly display our amazing Channapatna woodwork collection on our online store.

Kaivarta Kutumbam:

Made using small pieces of chipped wood, this art piece depicts a typical scene one would find during a sunset in a coastal region. It shows fishermen returning from work while women look after children, prepare food and manage household activities.

Different tonal values used for depicting shades and shadows give the work a sense of depth and perspective making it look realistic and attractive.

Muktidaya- Lord of Eternal Bliss:

This elaborate and detailed sculpture of Lord Ganesha is carved entirely out of wood and is a testament to the craftsmen’s eye for intricacy and beauty. It’s glossy, dark finish gives this sculpture a very antique look.

Flower Vase:

Another example of our artisans’ artistic marvel is this flower vase which is so intricately detailed that it makes sure to catch all the attention in the room.

With beautiful floral carving all over it and having an alluring color, this is one that is straight out of a royal palace’s furniture catalog.

Pradipa:

This one is yet another very unique and not-often-found Channapatna woodwork. It is an ancient lamp which was in use decades ago as the only source of light at nights.

Did you know that some interior and rural parts of India still use them for day-to-day purposes?

 Stay tuned to our blogs for more such stories of traditional art from different cultures of India. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter.

Heritage of Odisha- Pattachitra

 Born in rural Odisha and West Bengal and originating as early as the 12th century, Pattachitra is an art form that is iconic to the cultural heritage of India. Patta in Sanskrit means cloth and Chitra means a painting. Pattachitra is, in literal terms, motifs and pictures painted on a piece of cloth. 

This art form requires natural pigments and when traditionally done, takes up as many as 15 days to even a couple of months depending on the size, motifs selected and intricacy of the paintings. This style of art is usually passed on through generations and the entire family is involved in painting these.

 All that goes into making a Pattachitra- Process:

 To start with, a Pattachitra artist, called a Chitrakara, would need to prepare a Patta. For this, he needs to prepare a tamarind paste called niryas which is done by soaking tamarind seeds in water for a couple of days and then crushing and heating them to make a paste. This paste, when ready is used to hold two pieces of cloth together by being applied in between them. A generous coating of powdered soft clay stone is given about a couple of times to make sure it becomes firm. Once the cloth is dry, one soft stone and one hard stone are used to rub the cloth with to make the cloth a workable canvas.

 As this artform uses natural pigments, then comes the requirement of preparing colours. The gum of the Kaitha tree is a very important ingredient in making colours as this acts as a binding medium. Many naturally found raw materials such as vegetables, minerals, stones, and shells are used. For example, for a white colour, powdered conch shells mixed with the gum are used. Similarly, coconut shells are burned or black from the lamp is used for preparing the black colour.

Once everything is ready to use, the painter then makes a border and outline strokes of the motifs he chose and colours are then filled in.

Themes and cultural heritage:

Pattachitra paintings usually depict mythological scenes and folklore. One very common and traditional theme for this art style is Lord Jagannath and stories/ subjects related to him such as the Badhia or his temple, his incarnations on Earth including the Dasavataras, etc.

There is an annual ritual in Puri Jagannath Temple where during the Debasnana Purnima when the three deities Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra and given a bath with 108 pots of cold water. They are then believed to fall sick for a brief period of 15 days when they are not available for darshan. During this time, the Chitrakaras are asked to paint three Pattachitra paintings of each of the deities for the public.

Key aspects of Pattachitra Paintings:

Pattachitra paintings, as shown in the image below, often pay tribute to the trio of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra.

Borders constitute a very vital part of Pattachitra paintings and almost none of them can be said to be completed without a border. Some even argue that Chitrakaras start their artwork by making a border first. Borders are often floral as can be seen in the following image.

Pattachitra paintings, as in the picture below, not just make use of natural pigments but also often are seen being made in bright and vibrant colours such as blue, red, yellow, orange, green etc.

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Heritage of Odisha- Pattachitra

 Born in rural Odisha and West Bengal and originating as early as the 12th century, Pattachitra is an art form that is iconic to the cultural heritage of India. Patta in Sanskrit means cloth and Chitra means a painting. Pattachitra is, in literal terms, motifs and pictures painted on a piece of cloth. 

This art form requires natural pigments and when traditionally done, takes up as many as 15 days to even a couple of months depending on the size, motifs selected and intricacy of the paintings. This style of art is usually passed on through generations and the entire family is involved in painting these.

 All that goes into making a Pattachitra- Process:

 To start with, a Pattachitra artist, called a Chitrakara, would need to prepare a Patta. For this, he needs to prepare a tamarind paste called niryas which is done by soaking tamarind seeds in water for a couple of days and then crushing and heating them to make a paste. This paste, when ready is used to hold two pieces of cloth together by being applied in between them. A generous coating of powdered soft clay stone is given about a couple of times to make sure it becomes firm. Once the cloth is dry, one soft stone and one hard stone are used to rub the cloth with to make the cloth a workable canvas.

 As this artform uses natural pigments, then comes the requirement of preparing colours. The gum of the Kaitha tree is a very important ingredient in making colours as this acts as a binding medium. Many naturally found raw materials such as vegetables, minerals, stones, and shells are used. For example, for a white colour, powdered conch shells mixed with the gum are used. Similarly, coconut shells are burned or black from the lamp is used for preparing the black colour.

Once everything is ready to use, the painter then makes a border and outline strokes of the motifs he chose and colours are then filled in.

Themes and cultural heritage:

Pattachitra paintings usually depict mythological scenes and folklore. One very common and traditional theme for this art style is Lord Jagannath and stories/ subjects related to him such as the Badhia or his temple, his incarnations on Earth including the Dasavataras, etc.

There is an annual ritual in Puri Jagannath Temple where during the Debasnana Purnima when the three deities Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra and given a bath with 108 pots of cold water. They are then believed to fall sick for a brief period of 15 days when they are not available for darshan. During this time, the Chitrakaras are asked to paint three Pattachitra paintings of each of the deities for the public.

Key aspects of Pattachitra Paintings:

Pattachitra paintings, as shown in the image below, often pay tribute to the trio of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra.

Borders constitute a very vital part of Pattachitra paintings and almost none of them can be said to be completed without a border. Some even argue that Chitrakaras start their artwork by making a border first. Borders are often floral as can be seen in the following image.

Pattachitra paintings, as in the picture below, not just make use of natural pigments but also often are seen being made in bright and vibrant colours such as blue, red, yellow, orange, green etc.

Like reading about art forms, artistic and cultural heritage of India and know more about our products? Stay tuned to our blogs and sign up for our newsletter.

 

Golden Grass- Hexagonal Box With Lid

Comparing lifestyle to what it was a couple or more decades ago, it can be safe to say that technology took over almost every minute aspect of life right from communication to transportation and amenities to facilities provided. Although, technological advancements are to be welcomed with open arms; they come with their own cons of threatening to leave the glory and heritage the history of a country holds, behind.

If we are still celebrating the culture and traditions of our country, we owe it to the artisans, who still choose to work the traditional way, keeping the charm alive through the course of time. What looks so simple and put-together has the sweat, skill and dedication of an artisan to make his/her art and craft so breathtakingly beautiful.

The case with Golden Grass artifacts is no different than that.

What is Golden Grass?

It is a special and very rare species of grass often found in damp regions of the world. It has a trademark, metallic shine to it and radiates a golden color once dried. Being very strong, durable and yet very flexible, its stem is widely used by artisans to create stunning pieces of art ranging from baskets, vessels, and trays to jewellery, bags, hats and other handicrafts.

Golden Grass Handicrafts in India:

In India, these kinds of crafts are mostly found in regions in and around Odisha. Women are the ones often engaging in making these handicrafts. They spend days and nights, gathering stems of Golden Grass together and sewing them in varied techniques and styles to produce stunning results. An admirable fact is that these delicate pieces of art, each, take up to a month and a half to be completed and this, for most families in India, is the main source of income.

This utility box made using golden grass is one example of such exquisite pieces of pure artwork made by one of our skilled artisans. Its hexagonal shape and fine sewing is a testimony to the craftsmanship these artisans possess. The cross sewing done on this creates an aesthetic appeal making the box all the more artistic. To break the monotony, the artisan has used a different colored thread and made triangular patterns on the lid.

This box can be used in various ways right from being used for storage to merely being showcased as a decorative item. It is extremely light weight and very eye catchy. What’s more? In all its delicacy and beauty, this can be customized according to your needs, wants and requirements so you have a product that is just right for you.

If you are one who loves collecting intricate and exclusive pieces of art, this one is for you! Order yours today at https://www.artisanscrest.in/collections/golden-grass-craftwork/products/home-decor-golden-grass-craft-hexagonal-box-85.

To check out more of our Golden Grass collections, visit https://www.artisanscrest.in/collections/golden-grass-craftwork.

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Mudras: Teachings of Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha and His Mudras:

Siddhartha Gautama, born into the Shakya clan in Lumbini (modern day Nepal) was brought up secluded from the real world in a palace until he was twenty years old. This was so because when he was born, great things were prophesized for him that he shall either rule as a powerful king or become an influential spiritual leader.

Fate has strange ways of working out, and the very isolation of his early years led him to seek out the suffering of others when he did enter the real world.

One day, he ventured outside the boundaries of the palace and was quickly faced with the harsh realities of life. Every encounter caused him to ask more questions about the nature of life and suffering. Thus, he renounced his worldly duties and took the path of spiritualism for enlightenment.

After many attempts leading to disappointment, one fateful night, he sat under the Bodhi tree meditating. It is said that it is on this night that Guatama attained spiritual enlightenment and all the answers he was seeking came clear to him.

He was quick to take the path of spreading wisdom and thus came to be known as Gautama Buddha, the enlightened one and a spiritual guide around whose teachings the religion of Buddhism is based.

What are Mudras?

Mudras are essentially symbolic hand gestures which carry a message and deeper meaning. They are said to evoke ideologies or instincts in mind and body.

The Buddha frequently used Mudras in his teachings to send across a message or to evoke a certain feeling in his disciples. Even today, Mudras or hand gestures are common elements of meditative practice.

There are many prominent Mudras of which these four are commonly used in the practice of meditation and by yogis as well.

Abhaya Mudra:

Abhaya Mudra gets its name from the Sanskrit word meaning “fearlessness”. This mudra, as depicted in the following metal sculpture, is done by raising the right hand to shoulder length with the arm bent and palm facing outward.

This symbolises being free of weapons and unarmed thus making a peace treaty and an offer of friendship. It is said that when Lord Buddha was attacked by an angry elephant charging towards him, he made this gesture, which quickly calmed the animal down.

Dhyana Mudra:

Dhyana Mudra symbolises meditation and concentration. This sandstone sculpture depicts the Dhyana Mudra as being done by placing the right palm on the left with both palms wide open. The two thumbs are raised up touching each other, thus forming a triangle. This triangle is said to represent the Triranta (three jewels) of Buddhism, namely Lord Buddha, Sangha and Dharma. It also represents the circular flow of life.

Bhumisparshi:

Again, one very widely used Mudra is the one shown in this Marble sculpture of Lord Buddha. It is called the Bhumisparshi which literally means “touching the Earth”. This is done because Lord Buddha requests Mother Earth to stand witness to his enlightenment.

It is done by placing the left hand on the lap with the palm facing upwards and right on the knee with palm facing downwards and fingers touching the ground. It also shows the flow of energy from the ground to our body, as the tips of fingers are said to be very powerful receptors of vibrations and energies.

Jnana Mudra:

The Mudra represented in this wood sculpture is called the Jnana Mudra or the gesture of wisdom and knowledge. To perform this mudra, the palms need to be facing outward with the thumb and index finger touching each other.

The index finger forms a circle while the thumb points straight. The remaining three fingers are straight. The thumb represents supreme reality while the index finger represents the soul. Joining them conveys that our soul is attached or interlinked with the supreme universe. The three fingers stand symbolic to the three gunas, namely Rajas or passion, Sattva or purity and Tamas or confusion.

A beautifully carved and crafted sculpture of Lord Buddha placed in the house is sure to bring an aura of tranquillity and peace.

Our artisans, with all their skill, make sure you get your sculpture delivered just the way you want our customisation options.

What’s more? We promised an offer and we have it for you!

Avail a flat 10% discount on selected artefacts of Lord Buddha using the coupon code: FLAT10. Click on the links within the text or on each image to see the products and order them.

Tribal Jewellery - Necklace with round locket

Jewellery Born Of The Earth

Jewellery, ornaments and accessories have made their hallmark in the fashion industry, so much so that there exist special courses and institutes that groom aspirants to become jewellery designers.

Yes, it is true that wearing accessories and decking oneself up is not just a matter of modern tastes but existed for long. Ornaments have been found in excavations of the sites at Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus Valley Civilization.

Even instances from Indian epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana and tales of ancient kings around the world describe the royal and rich ornaments they adorned themselves with. Some pieces of priceless jewellery are considered ancestral property and are passed through generations even to date as a blessing.

With such history, it is only understandable that jewellery takes up a prominent place in fashion. As in the case of clothing and other styles, modern day ornamental fashion is also taking a glimpse back into the past with chunky pieces of tribal jewellery adding their statement to an outfit.

What is Tribal Jewellery?

Tribes across India, for ages now, kept making some really artistic and bold pieces of jewellery ranging from neckpieces, earrings, bracelets and bangles to anklets and maang-tikas. Due to lack of complex tools, they often resorted to more easily available natural resources such as leaves, stones, shells, wood, bones and some accessible metals.

They would beat and carve out designs to give the accessories some shape and form. Reading through history and societal divisions, it can be said that jewellery for various tribes is a mark of status and identification to a region. For example, in Nagaland in northeast India, each tribe has a distinctive headgear.

It can still be observed that various tribes use different kinds of stones and metals and carve them different from each other. For example, the Lambada tribes of Rajasthan adorn themselves with ornaments made out of heavy metal and opt for more bold designs. On the other hand, the tribes of Sikkim and regions in and around make use of unique stones such as corals, turquoise stones, etc. that are easily available there.

Modern Day Tribal Jewellery

As mentioned earlier, the styles of these tribes are now loved by fashion connoisseurs across the world who find it very aesthetic to pair some statement and bold pieces of jewellery with formal, informal and ethnic clothing.

This neckpiece is one such, straight from our tribal collection. It has multiple layers of golden coloured beads tightly wound together creating a visual appeal. These are then balanced by adding a very strong, round pendant, again golden in colour, made by wrapping a thread around. Craftsmanship here can be seen in how neatly and artfully each bead and each thread is bound to the other. Artistic yet very chic and elegant, this piece of jewellery is a must-have in every fashion lovers’ collection.

Go trendy and use this to spice up a pair of regular jeans and a plain shirt or keep it classic and pair it with a saree or salwar kameez.

We also have a wide collection in art, craft, handlooms and jewellery that we’d love to share with you via our monthly newsletters. Subscribe to our newsletter here.

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Sammohit: The Spellbinding Dance Of Lord Krishna

If you are aware of Hindu scriptures and mythological tales, you would definitely not have missed the mention of “Rasleela” in Shri Krishna’s Bhagavat Purana. Like every other legendary instance in the Puranas, this one has a story too.

It is said that after conquering Lord Brahma along with other gods, Kamadeva’s ego knew no bounds and he started considering himself superior to everyone. In order to teach him a lesson, Lord Krishna invited Kamadeva, the god of love to Vrindavan on the night of Sharad Purnima to enjoy the company of beautiful Gopis.

Kamadeva, however, challenged him that if he happens to develop the slightest bit of passion for any of the Gopis, Kamadeva would win. That night, Lord Krishna with the help of Yogamayi created an enchanting environment with blooming flowers, sweet fragrance, a bright moon and a cool breeze. He then started playing spellbinding music with his flute which created a trance effect on Gopis who ran to the forest to Lord Krishna leaving their husbands hungry, children crying and their household chores undone.

The Lord decided to put the Gopis to test and asked them to return back home as it is not morally correct for young ladies to be out at night leaving behind their responsibilities. To this, the Gopis promptly replied saying that they came here to him leaving behind all their mundane responsibilities, shame, fear and other bondages and it would be a pity for any of them to return back to their materialistic life.

Pleased with their devotion and love, Lord danced with each of them the entire night, himself remaining refrained from desires and feelings and thereby destroying Kamadeva’s ego.

This act of Lord Krishna has an eternal meaning to it altogether. It tells a tale of something more than just a male-female attraction and worldly lusts. It speaks of the devotion of mortal beings towards the immortal and almighty lord. Rasleela is a depiction of the desire of beings to connect to the universal energy and reach god. It is the utmost form of dedication and submission.

This Kerala Mural Painting is a depiction of that splendid night of divine glory. It portrays the lord swaying in bliss to charming music as plants and flowers bloom in joy and ecstasy showing how enchanted the entire nature was in the company of Lord Vishnu himself.

Kerala Mural Paintings are famous for their complex design and bright colors. They originated in Kerala decades ago when paintings were made on temple walls using natural pigments for color. Mythological scenes, Gods, and Goddesses were common subjects for these paintings. Years later, their heritage is still kept alive by artists who have now started opting for paper and canvas as media to paint on.

This piece of art looks great adorned on walls of your house and will surely add to the aesthetic value. In all its grandeur, it can be customized according to your needs and requirements.

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The Art, Science And Tradition Of Wood Carving In India

When it comes to craft in India, wood carvings occupy a prominent place. Since the Palaeolithic period, man has been cutting, carving and shaping wood for various purposes, right from transportation using wood logs across water bodies to sustenance- using firewood to cook, and even using the same wood for creating furniture for houses and workplaces alike.

With time, wood carving has kept improving and stunning outputs have been making their way into the market. Some of this can be attributed to the more precise cuts obtained using machinery. However, there is no denying the fact that handmade wood carvings have a charm of their own.

Different types of wood have been experimented with of which Beech-Wood, Teak-Wood, Neem-Wood, Cedar, Fir, Pine, Rose-Wood and Sandal-Wood have become an artisan’s favourite, both because they serve as stable media, and also because they have textures and colours that add a new dimension to the work done.

It is said that an artisan uses not his hands, but his very soul, to make each work of art special, and every time we observe an artisan at work on a natural medium like wood, we begin to believe this a bit more.

Relief Carvings

Of all the different types of wood carvings, relief style is the most famous. Here is a sneak peek into what goes into the making of those beautiful pieces of pure art.

Relief carving, as a project, can be summed up into an eightfold, detailed process which starts with designing a layout of how the craftsman wants the craft to look.

This process challenges the creative mind and aesthetics of an artisan or a designer where he or she makes use of different patterns, motifs, figurines, etc. to come up with a design out of which beautiful results can be expected.

Once a design is finalised and fine-tuned, an artisan then prepares a panel out of a piece of wood by cutting it in the desired shape, levelling and cleaning it and making it ready to work on.

The design made on paper is then copied onto the panel of wood using a carbon paper as a medium for tracing.

Once the pattern is neatly traced on the panel, various implements such as gauges, chisels, carving knifes, chopping saws and so on come into use, for this is where carving starts. Areas around the traced pattern are chipped off to bring out the design.

Next step involves modelling the highlighted pattern and making it more prominent, finished and smoothened after which details are carved on it.

 Once the artisan is satisfied with the results, he or she goes on to clean around the pattern and tidy the background.

This completes the carving part of this craft. The final step then is to finish it off by applying colours, varnishes, paints, etc. to bring out shadows and add a sense of dimension.

Art And Its Cultural Significance

India is a land of enchanting stories. Every work of art that follows the traditional method often has a powerful story that explains its sanctity.

Although decorating one’s home with wood carvings and craft dates back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilization, it is just as relevant today. The durability and artistic appeal of wood make it possible for us to convert it into various items such as wall plates, wall hangings, sculptures, pen and candle holders, jewellery boxes, decorative baskets and plates, figurines and frames, to name a few.

Apart from decoration, wood based carvings and sculptures also hold great religious importance. One of the best examples is the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odissa.

Once every 12 years, when the month of Ashadha sees two full moons, wooden idols of the four deities at Jagannaath temple are recreated to symbolise “renewal”. This ceremony is called “Nabakalebara”. It is originated from two Odia words- Naba meaning new and Kalebara meaning body.

One specific variety of Neem wood called Daru Brahma is used to make these idols and the process involves carving new idols and cremating the older ones. It is said that just as we throw away old clothes, ornaments, etc. and move on to new ones, the soul too leaves its previous body to accept a new one. Read more about the stories and rituals of Jagannath here: https://www.artisanscrest.in/blogs/artisan-of-the-month/the-savior-of-the-worlds-captured-in-a-painting

With such prominence and spiritual significance, our artisans understand that needs and wants differ from individual to individual. We therefore cater to all our customers’ demands and resize, remake and redesign each work of art according to your requirements.

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