Handmade in India
Crafts of India
- Category: All Books, back in print, Best Sellers, Crafts...
"An important book... craft values are important for a sustainable future... an astounding 516 types of specific regional crafts are covered... All readers will be impressed." —Library Journal
A source book of handicrafts, Handmade in India is a unique compendium of Indian crafts. It is a resource of the craft repertoire that reflects the diversity of the country, its cultural milieu and the relationships that nurture creativity and ingenuity. This encyclopaedic publication maps the crafts of the country, and captures the traditions that have enriched the day-to-day lives of Indian people while being a source of livelihood for generations of craftspeople. Handmade in India probes into all aspects of handicrafts—historical, social and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products and tools—unravelling a wealth of knowledge.
Handmade in India is based on extensive field work and research, and maps out the regional craft clusters identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craft-work patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India. Some of these are renowned, like the pinjrakari and khatumband wood work of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, chikankari embroidery of Lucknow, the kannadi or metal mirrors from Aranmula, chappals or footwear from Kolhapur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. Other, lesser known, crafts like the paabu or stitched boots from Ladakh, jadupatua paintings from Jharkhand, the making of Kathakali and Theyyam headgear, khadi or tinsel printing in Ahmedabad have also been described in striking detail. The close study of various crafts makes it possible to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities—like tie-resist-dyeing which is called bandhani in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and bandhej in Rajasthan.
The first of its kind ever attempted, this publication with stunning photographs will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals and connoisseurs alike. It will be of immense value for facilitating worldwide participation in the planning and development of the handicraft sector in India. It will also be a useful reference for libraries interested in Indian crafts and culture, and organizations and agencies that work for and with the crafts sector in India.
ADITI RANJAN is a weaver, textile designer and design teacher. She has conducted research on the textile traditions of India and designed collections for the handloom sector in the country. Her educational innovations include the use of culture as a design resource. Born
in 1952, she has been involved with textile design education at the National Institute of Design since 1972.
M P RANJAN is an industrial designer and design teacher at the National Institute of Design. His interests include design theory, basic design and the systems level function of design in managing economic change. His ongoing work in bamboo has helped open up an entire sector for bamboo industry in India. Born in 1950, he has been with NID since 1976 and has published extensively on design education, craft and information technology.
| ISBN | 9788188204571 |
| Pages | 580 |
| Number of photographs | 3500 |
| Size | 9.5 x 13.5” (240 x 340 mm) |
| Date of Publishing | 7/10/2024 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Co-publisher(s) | Mapin Publishing |
| Rights Available | World Rights |
"If you've become smitten with Indian handicrafts—clothing, toys, carpets, pottery, etc—this hefty encyclopedia will be your Rosetta stone for additional craft appreciation and collecting. Organized by region, and packed with hundreds of small but legible color photographs, no better guide exists in revealing the astonishing diversity of Indian craftwork." —The Christian Science Monitor
"... takes on the monumental task of examining the eye-popping variety of handicrafts made across India's vast landscape... The thousands of objects pictured here, and accompanied by detailed notes, include terra-cotta jewelry, leather puppets, wood carvings, bamboo baskets and silver ornaments. ... visually stunning display." —The Wall Street Journal
"Handmade in India edited by Aditi Ranjan and MP Ranjan is a resource for designers, connoisseurs and beginners alike. It delves into the rich history and diversity of handicraft in India, from Kashmir’s Pinjrakari and Khatumband woodwork to Ladakh’s Paabu (stitched boot), from Lucknow’s Chikankari embroidery to Ahmedabad’s Khadi or tinsel printing. It draws from field work, research and contains detailed photos of the crafts exhibited." —Indian Express
"Handmade in India truly is an encyclopedia, structured on India’s geography, which arguably provides every item of interest related to each type of handcrafting activity used in the villages and cities of that country." —Foreword Reviews
"His (MP Ranjan's) passion to document, his ability to share and his method to simplify complex concepts, all came in handy, when he co-authored a book with his wife and fellow designer, Aditi Ranjan, Handmade in India. The book was published by the Department of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and is now the official directory of all the crafts." —Outlook Magazine