Art and Craft of Arunachal Pradesh

 

Arunachal Pradesh, the northeastern frontier of India, is a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions, reflected vividly in its unique art and craft forms. The state's artistic heritage is deeply intertwined with its cultural diversity, with each community contributing to the vibrant tapestry that is Arunachali art. From bamboo and cane craft to carpet-weaving, painting, wood carving, jewelry making, and ivory craft, the art and craft of Arunachal Pradesh stand as a testament to the skilled hands and rich cultural heritage of its people. 

Bamboo and cane craft are integral components of Arunachal Pradesh's artistic legacy. Skilled artisans adeptly transform these natural resources into functional and aesthetically pleasing items. Baskets, mats, furniture, and even traditional headgear are crafted with precision and ingenuity, showcasing the seamless blend of utility and artistry. The intricate patterns and designs reflect the cultural ethos of the tribes, making each piece a unique representation of Arunachal's cultural diversity. 

Carpet-weaving is another significant art form in Arunachal Pradesh, with the Monpa tribe particularly renowned for their expertise. Using traditional techniques passed down through generations, Monpa weavers create exquisite carpets with intricate patterns and vibrant colors. These carpets often depict scenes from daily life, mythological stories, or symbols of religious significance. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail make Arunachali carpets highly sought after, both locally and internationally. 

Painting, an art form that transcends boundaries, has found a distinctive expression in Arunachal Pradesh. The state boasts a rich tradition of tribal art, with each tribe contributing its unique style and symbolism. Thangka painting, practiced by the Monpas and Sherdukpens, involves intricate depictions of Buddhist deities and spiritual themes. The Apatanis are known for their vibrant murals, showcasing a keen sense of color and design. Through these paintings, Arunachali artists preserve and perpetuate their cultural narratives. 

Wood carving in Arunachal Pradesh is a craft that combines artistic finesse with practical utility. Skilled artisans carve intricate designs on wooden panels, doors, and furniture, reflecting the cultural motifs of their respective tribes. The carvings often depict animals, mythological figures, or scenes from tribal life, serving as both functional items and cultural artifacts. The craftsmanship in Arunachali wood carving is not merely aesthetic but also a manifestation of the deep connection between the people and their natural surroundings. 

Jewelry making is an art form that showcases the metalworking skills of the tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Silver and brass are commonly used to create traditional jewelry pieces adorned with intricate patterns and symbolic motifs. Each piece of jewelry carries cultural significance, representing the wearer's identity, social status, or belonging to a specific tribe. The craftsmanship involved in jewelry making reflects the meticulous attention to detail and the reverence for tradition within Arunachali communities. 

Ivory craft, though now facing stringent regulations due to conservation concerns, has been a traditional art form in Arunachal Pradesh. Skilled artisans meticulously carve ivory into intricate sculptures, depicting religious and mythological themes. However, with increasing awareness about the need for wildlife conservation, the focus is shifting towards alternative materials, ensuring the preservation of this age-old craft without compromising on ethical considerations. 

The art and craft of Arunachal Pradesh embody the essence of its diverse cultural heritage. From the utilitarian bamboo and cane craft to the intricate carpet-weaving, painting, wood carving, jewelry making, and the traditional ivory craft, each form reflects the deep-rooted connection between art and culture in this northeastern state of India. As these traditional crafts continue to evolve, they serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, preserving their heritage for generations to come.

Indian Tribal Jewellery

  

Indian Tribal Jewellery is a traditional form of Indian jewellery and is known for its rustic flavour. India is a country, blessed and endowed with a richtribal culture. The tribes of India have preserved the ancient crafts and arts of India with their ethnic pieces of jewellery. Ornaments used by the tribes stand out in a crowd because of its rustic and earthy flavour. They make jewellery from the indigenous items that are available locally. Moreover the jewellery they prepare exhibit their artistic skill in a profound manner. The appeal of the tribal jewellery is mainly due to its chunky and unrefined look.

Features of Indian Tribal Jewellery
Tribal Jewellery communicates a lot regarding the status of the individual who wears it, since these represent the socio-cultural traditions of those tribal groups. The materials which they commonly use to prepare the wonderful pieces of jewellery are wood, shells, bone, clay and some crude metals. Sometimes they also use hairs of animals in a painted form. The shapes which they use are basic and very close to the ethnic Indian art.

Indian Tribal Jewellery of Different Regions
Various tribes in India use different types of jewellery to adorn themselves. Sometimes it is found that may be they are scantily clothed but they have ample jewellery on their bodies. Even tattoo is an attractive form of jewellery created by some tribal groups.

The tribe of Bastar District in Madhya Pradesh uses a lot of grass, beads and cane to prepare their unique jewellery. Traditional ornaments made out of silver, wood, peacock feathers, glass, copperand wild flowers are also commonly used by the tribes of Bastar. Sometimes the women of the Bastar tribe are seen wearing necklaces made out of one rupee coin It portrays the culture of Bastar District.

Similarly, the Banjara Tribe is a group of nomadic people in Rajasthan. The use of colourful, heavy jewellery is very popular among them. They make ornaments and a variety of belts which are heavily embossed with metal-mesh, coins, beads, shells and chains.

The Tribes of Meghalaya like the Khasi, Jaintia and the Garo Tribes are known for their exclusive creation of jewellery. The Khasi and the Jaintia tribes mainly use thick red coral bead necklaces and the Garo on the other hand are identified with thread strung thin fluted stems of glass. The Bhutias of Sikkim use the traditional gold to make jewellery. Along with gold they also use metals like silver, zee stones, turquoiseand coral.

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Tribal Jewellery of North-East India

Tribal Jewellery of North Eastern states are a sign of prestige and a form of distinguishing each tribe.

The Seven Sister states of North East are the contiguous states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Except for Assam and Tripura, the region has a predominantly tribal population.
Tribal Jewellery of Arunachal Pradesh
There are around 20 major tribes and sub-tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.

Tribal Jewellery of Assam
Assam has a rich tradition of manufacturing gold jewellery dating back several centuries.

Tribal Jewellery of Manipur
The jewelleries of Manipur exhibit real rich traditions. Precious metals like gold and silver go into the making of Manipuri jewelleries.

Tribal Jewellery of Mizoram
About 95 percent of current Mizoram population is of diverse tribal origins. This is the highest concentration of tribal people among all states of India.

Tribal Jewellery of Nagaland
Jewellery is an important part of Naga identity, with the entire tribe wearing similar bead jewellery.

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Indian Costume Jewellery

Indian Costume Jewellery is a trendy and affordable piece of jewellery. These jewelleries with antique designs and classy appearance go well with traditional outfits for numerous occasions.

Indian Costume Jewellery is a form of embellishment and adornment that come in different forms and designs.

Costume jewellery can be found as rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelet, bangles, anklets and chains. These jewelleries are usually made of inexpensive materials like glass beads, semi-precious stones, lac, bone, metal,‘kundan’ and many more objects.

Types of Indian Costume Jewellery
The different types of costume jewellery are antique jewellery,
body jewellery, magnetic jewellery, glass jewellery, artificial jewellery, crystal jewellery, fashion jewellery, beaded and imitation jewellery.
Necklace
Necklace refers to any continuous band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament.

Armlets
Armlet is a type of jewellery which is worn in arms by women. This type of jewellery has been worn by women since ancient times.

Earrings
An earring is an ornament that is worn in the ear. Earrings are worn by both genders.

Anklets
Anklets are a broad term for jewellery for the ankles. Most anklets are approximately 9.5 inches in length.

Belly Chains
Belly chains are a popular item of jewellery amongst most young people. Belly chains are to be worn around the waist.

Rings
Rings can be defined as a small circular band, generally made of precious metal and often set with jewels, worn on the finger.
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Traditional Indian Jewellery

Traditional Indian Jewellery bears the aroma of the Indian tradition and the cultural association of the country`s conventional folk lore with gender specific roles.

Traditional Indian Jewellery is the long drawn saga of Indian Tradition that is so exquisitely brought out by the maintenance of the on going traditional strain.
The Traditional Jewellery of India is of varied types and numerous forms.

Meenakari Jewellery

Meenakari Jewellery is the exuberant exemplification of Meenakari Art; an ancient form of art in India that has been praised since its introduction for the superb designs and combination of colours.
Stone Jewellery
Stone Jewellery is another form of jewelry that is studded with different gems and are mostly  worn according to the individual's astrological chart and ruling of planet.

Gold Jewellery
Gold Jewellery bears the testimony of rich Indian Tradition. Gold is used as the base metal for creating different jewelleries since the ancient times as many evidences are found in Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
Bead Jewellery

Bead Jewellery or Bead art in India dates back to a history of five thousand year when Indus Valley Civilization had been the existing Civilization of India.

Terracotta Jewellery

Terracotta jewelleries are one of the most available and ancient form of art that has its demand in recent times as well

Indian Tribal Jewellery
Bridal Jewellery

It includes attractive necklace set, pendant set, rings, bracelets, bangles, or earrings and more. In fact, it is very true that bridal jewellery happens to be one of the integral parts of Indian wedding.

Temple Jewellery
Temple Jewellery bears the testimony of religiosity of the ancient times and the associated jewel tale of the deities.

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Classification Of Jewellery In India

Classification of Indian Jewellery is evident since ages both men and women have tried to adorn themselves with the use of various ornaments.
Indian history  has classified Indian Jewellery which varied and has a huge stock of both ancient and modern forms of jewellery.  The various classification of Indian Jewellery is as follows:


Gold Jewellery in India
Among all emerging metals and modernisation, gold jewellery is yet coveted by the larger mass.

Bead Jewellery in India


Concept of bead jewellery in India had originated from the time of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Bridal Jewellery in India


The ceremony of marriage is of utmost importance in the India and It is wored  during marriage is prevalent among all the communities of the country.

Fashion Jewellery in India

These types of jewellery keep on changing according to the fashion and trends.

Meenakari Jewellery in India


Navratna Jewellery in India
In the Navratna Gemstone, nine precious stones
 are used in a single ornament. It is prominent in the India because of the astrological importance associated with it. It is the stone studded jewellery which is commonly used in India.

Kundan Jewellery in India


The age of Kundan Jewellery is as old as the Mughal period.

 Tribal Jewellery in India 

 
The jewellery used by the various tribes of India is coming to light these days.
Other traditional jewellery which is used in India is ornaments made of silver, platinum, ivory copper and some indigenous articles.

To know in detail visit here: Classification Of Jewellery In India

South Indian Jewellery

South Indian Jewellery is all about richness, tradition, beauty and elaborateness and a generous assimilation of brilliant precious metals like gold, exquisite stones and a constellation of all that glitters. South Indian Jewelleries were created primarily in gold and were usually worn during traditional festivals and weddings.


History of South Indian Jewellery
The initial references to the depictions of South Indian jewellery date back to the mural paintings of the Thiruvambadi shrine in the Shri Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Even the earliest European reference to jewellery also relates to the use of South Indian jewellery in Vijayanagar. However, the jewellery of Mughal India has been studied much more extensively, thus, comparatively neglecting the jewellery forms of southern India.

Features of South Indian Jewelleries 
Illustrious designs and elaborate crafting make the South Indian Jewellery different from other traditional ornaments from other parts of India. The South Indian jewellery owes its influence to the temple jewellery which has experienced its evolution. Gold is the primary and major stone for jewellery and the other gems like diamonds, rubies and pearls are also used for jewellery crafting. The traditional floral patterns, glittering stars, swans and lotus patterns are mostly seen in South Indian jewellery.

Various South Indian Jewelleries
Each of the state of South Indian region has their own traditional jewelleries, which exhibit their own culture. The jewelleries are designed with different features and motifs.

Jewelleries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala,Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Telangana and many more in detail



Here is a great site that you should checkout: South Indian Jewellery 

Tribal Jewellery of Rajasthan

Tribal people of Rajasthan like to pamper themselves in various types of ornaments. Rajasthani tribal jewelleries are wide in numbers and they can mesmerize the viewers. For more visit:
http://www.indianetzone.com/12/tribal_jewellery_rajasthan.htm