Collecting art and craft work has become a strong hobby of quite a number of people. On one hand, it works as an investment opportunity and secondly, it helps in spicing up one’s living room. So, if someone is looking to add some finesse and rich color to his home then he need not look further than ha-painted furniture from Rajasthan. This desert state is home to myriad crafts. Rajasthan has always excelled in producing hand painted wooden furniture. If one is looking for distinctive style of furniture then Jodhpur and Kisanganh in Rajasthan are the places to be in.

The woods usually favored by Rajasthani artists are rose, mango and acacia Arabica etc. The process begins with making the furniture first. Thereafter, the end product is given finishing touches. Painting is the last step in the process. A coat of varnish is applied over the finished piece. As far as range of products are concerned, stools, wine racks, small chairs, paneled screens, trunks, doors, decorative carved windows and cupboards etc are the furniture items one can get his hands on. While decorating these items, wide range of bright colors are used over them.

Talking about wooden furniture from Jodhpur, they are generally made using ethnic color combinations. These items have unique antique charm associated with them. Decorative wooden wall pieces are highlight of Jodhpur school of art. They have richly carved borders and paintings of Rajput kings and queens and Hindu Gods.

Kishangarh School of Art is very rich in terms of its symmetrical floral motifs which will remind you of Mughal influence. Painted designs and embossed features are shining aspects of Kisangarh furniture. Painted furniture of Rajasthan are true reflections of state’s glorious past and rich culture. These pieces can add value to one’s living room and act as style statements.

In our previous posts, we have shared about what Madhubani paintings are and where do they emerge from and what are the common themes in such paintings. Also, off late I have been reading a lot about Madhubani paintings and thought I too should try my hand at it too. To do a Madhubani painting here is all that you would need:

• Cloth/Handmade paper
• Trace paper
• Fabric colours(for cloth)
• Poster colours (for paper)
• Black outliner
• Carbon sheet
• Indian inks (green, blue, red, orange, black)
• Madhubani Pen or a Black ball point pen

Decide on a theme. Trace the design of Madhubani using a carbon sheet on the handmade paper. If you do not trace it well, then later while outlining the painting you may face trouble. In case you want to make changes, you can make improvements in designs. Draw the outline using the Madhubani pen, dipping the pen in black Indian ink and removing the excess ink and drawing thin outline on the entire painting, or using a black ball point pen and outlining the design. People who are comfortable can also use a 000 point brush.

Now fill in the designs with Indian inks that come in various colors. Most people use green and red in Madhubani. However, you can use other colours too. Now allow it to dry and frame it. Madhubani paintings can be done on fabric too, however you then need to use fabric paints instead of Indian ink.

Indian art and craft has always been admired, appreciated and imitated. It comes as a sheer delight to notice that despite the presence of diverse cultures, diverse customs, diverse languages and habits, Indian art and craft as a whole has always shone by its sheer cultural richness. One of the siblings of rich Indian art and handicraft is patchwork that has always remained in shadows. Patchwork is all about combining together the pieces of fabric into a larger, beautiful design. It is also known as piecing in many parts of Indian subcontinent.

Patchwork can also said to be one of the primary construction techniques. Usually, patches of numerous colors and designs are formed together to make a larger design. The final design is normally based on repeat patterns. Appliqué and patchwork often go together. Patchwork is a detailed and precise craft and needs lots of practice and expertise. The joining of clothes must be precise. Most often than not, basic geometric shapes are used in these designs.

If we talk specifically about Indian states then, this craft flourishes in western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Indian patchwork has one unique feature of highlighting jazzy shades on the patches. The stitches are usually, not hidden. This helps in adding a bit extra to entire artistic flavor. States like Orissa and Punjab also practice this craft and one has to see these beautiful patchworks.

It is believed that patchwork came to India from Arab and Europe and today, it is a widely prevalent and practiced craft inside Indian Territory. Patch works thrive on artists’ creativity and imagination. Western Indian art and craft consider patchwork as an integral part of its culture. Some patchworks are made using ornaments with motifs. Colors are bold and often mixed with aesthetic motifs of animals, birds and trees. The beauty of patchwork can be witnessed in quilts, cushion covers, wall hangings, bed covers and even decorative items.