The Indian way of life celebrates products made with the help of simple, indigenous tools by craftspeople from a strong fabric of tradition, aesthetic and artistry. The range of Indian
handicrafts is as rich and varied as the country's cultural diversity.
A tour of India's craft repertoire, Handmade in India is a guide to the arts that reflects the diversity of the country, its culture and the ways it nurtures creativity and ingenuity. This
encyclopedic reference captures the traditions that enrich the day-to-day lives of Indian people, as well as provide a livelihood for generations of craftspeople. Handmade in India explores all
aspects of handicrafts-historical, social and cultural influences on crafts; design and craft processes; traditional and new markets; products and tools-revealing a remarkable wealth of
knowledge.
Handmade in India is the result of extensive field work and research. The authors map out regional craft clusters identified across the country according to the prevailing craft-work patterns.
It is closely woven with images to reveal the wide array of crafts in India. Some of these are well known, like the woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, embroidery of Lucknow and the
bamboo craft of Assam. Other, lesser-known crafts, such as stitched boots from Ladakh and tinsel printing in Ahmedabad, are also described in striking detail. The close study of various crafts
enables the reader to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities-such as tie-resist dyeing, which is called bandhani in
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, but bandhej in Rajasthan.
The first of its kind ever attempted, this beautifully illustrated guide will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors,
development professionals and connoisseurs alike. Handmade in India will also be a useful reference for libraries interested in Indian crafts and culture, and organizations that work with the
crafts sector in India.
