Handicrafts of Kutch

  

Kutch is considered to be a haven for numerous handicrafts, which are carried on from generation to generation. The traditional basis of its prosperity has been its foreign trade in various handicrafts. The artifacts of Kutch moved not only the length and breadth of the country but also in the overseas market. The main handicrafts of the district are embroidery of ethnic style, Patchwork, terracotta, pen knives and nut crackers. A brief description of the various crafts is as follows.

Embroidery
Inherited by the bequest of craft making the Kutchi people weave their dreams in different forms of embroidery. Kutch is world renowned for its mirrored embroideries. Most of these were traditionally stitched by village women, for themselves and their families, to create festivity, honor deities, or generate wealth. Embroideries contributed to the substantial economic exchange required for marriage and fulfilled other social obligations which required gifts. Be it, thread work or leather every village has a different and a unique style of making embroidery.

Hand Block Printing
Kutch is the homeland of a variety of hand printing textiles. Important among them are Ajrakh prints, Batik prints and Rogan painting.

Wood Carving
Wood carving is one of the best handicrafts of Kutch. The Harijan people living in Dumaro and Ludia are master crafts persons of wood carving. They make various utensils like pastel roller, chapati disc, bottles, small table, glass etc. of the wood doing attractive carving. Generally, they use the teak wood and locally available 'bahuv wood to prepare the fine artifacts.

Mudwall painting
House in the Banni area are living museums of beautiful paintings Rabari and Harijan women folk are traditionally experts in depicting their dreams in painting. They turn houses into homes.

The clay collected is mixed with camel dung and kept for a few days. Then it is kneaded to obtain sufficient plasticity and designs are worked on the mud wall using this clay mixture. Designs of mor (peacock) Popat (Parrot) anghadi (Fingers) Vinjno (Fan).

Silver Work
Kutch is famous for its superior silver work, both of the design and engraving of jewellery.

Pen-knives and nutcrackers
Pen knives and nutcrackers of Kutch have travelled the length and breadth of the country. People of Kutch prefer to present penknives or nutcrackers to their relatives and friends living outside Kutch. The artisans, who made swords during the royal family's patronage, are now producing the penknives and nutcrackers. The iron bars are reduced to workable small pieces. Then the pieces are worked by using a forging machine.

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