India is undeniably a land of intricate and beautiful handicrafts and with an ensemble of 28 exclusively states; it has no dearth of captivating variety. Indian handicrafts include assortment of collectables, Accessories, Rare Antiques, Stoles, Anklets, Kashmiri Shawls, Paintings, Hand Woven Stoles, Embroidered Bags, Traditional Bags, Traditional Jewellery and more. A sneak peek into each gifted State reveals an entire galaxy of handicrafts thriving in the nation.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, one of the leading pearl markets in the world, shines with its traditional handicrafts. Price of Indian handicrafts studded with Pearls varies with their radiance, shape and size. Elluru is famous for carpets of Indo-Persian style. Brassware of Pembarti also holds unique significance. Pearl Jewellery adds to the glory of Andhra Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh

The most important handicrafts of Arunachal are bamboo and cane craft followed by handloom weaving, woodcarving and carpentry. Bamboo is used water carriers, spoons, mugs, plates and jugs and trays. Cane, crafted dexterously into colorful basket mats, smoking pipes, combs, paintings etc. is a common sight in Arunachal Pradesh.

Assam

Handloom weaving is a gratifying tradition in Assam. Many village households possess a loom. Cotton, Muga and Endi are some of the common fabrics widely used for weaving. Caricatures of animals, human figures, creepers, flowers, birds, cross borders etc. are embroidered on these handloom products especially silk stoles and silk shawls. Hand weaved silk duppatas and silk stoles can steal your heart.

Bihar

Various kinds of arts flourish in Bihar but Bangle-making is the most flourishing. Almost every household is a self-made manufacturing unit of these bangles suitably festooned with pieces of shining mirrors, brilliant tinsel and painted stripes. Mirrored bangles can do wonders to the wrist and these beautiful traditional bangles from Bihar help you create a fashionista statement.

Chhattisgarh

Undeniably the land of terracotta and metal work, Chhattisgarh has created its own niche in these fields. Unique crafted work in bell metal called Dokra and Wrought iron exhibit the talent of the tribals. Wooden and clay reliefs are other specialties of note. Bastar in Chhattisgarh is an acclaimed handicraft destination of India. Terracotta Jewellery is pretty, traditional, and yet very fashionable. Adding Terracotta Jewellery to your accessories can do wonders.

Goa

A splendid mélange of traditional and modern handicrafts exist in Goa. The extraordinary terracotta and brass items from Bicholim are known worldwide. Pottery, crochet bags and - embroidered bags are stylish. Crochet Stoles are very feminine and yet bold. The maritime state exhibits some of the best bamboo, jute and coconut shells craftworks one will ever get to see.

Gujarat

Your love for anklets, traditional jewellery, and traditional stoles will have no bounds when you see the splendid tradition of embroidered stoles, mirror studded stoles, traditional jewellery and Jhumkas, mirror work bags, embroidered bags from the state of Gujarat. Mashru, woven with a combination of silk and cotton, has an attractiveness of its own due to its bold patterns and colour. Bandhini dupattas and stoles are beautiful and can do wonders to your look. Bandhini stoles and bandhini dupattas are made on silk or cotton. Silk thread is also used to create exquisite handcrafted silver Traditional Jewellery and intricate hand embroidered ghagras, odhnis, embroidered bags, Traditional Bags, and quilts called Kutchhi embroidery. Silver Anklets from Kutch are traditional and come straight with the love of artisans.

Haryana

Haryana has some mesmerizing Indian handicrafts, including pottery making, handloom, woven furniture, artistic pottery, and woodcarving and it also holds a vibrant handloom tradition, especially in the Panipat region. Traditionally women would weave durries (rugs) and khes (thick coverlets) for household use.

Himachal Pradesh

Textiles, woodcarving, architecture, and paintings thrive abundantly in Himachal Pradesh. Splendid examples of needle painting and the rumals (handkerchiefs) of Chamba have long been famous for their unusual beauty, and as symbols of goodwill. The woolen shawls, stoles and pattus of Kulu are no less stunning. Himachali dolls can also find a special mention.

Jammu & Kashmir

The embroidery of Kashmir, called kasida, is world-famous for the fine work executed on cotton as well as synthetic fabric. Kashmiri shawls are an eternal favorite with Pashimina shawl being the most popular as the fabric is extracted from the smooth fleecy wool of the Kel goat. Dress materials, Kashmiri shawls, covers, traditional bags are all exquisitely decorated with fine hand embroidery mostly using chain and satin stitches for filling up the motifs.

Jharkhand

Jharkhand is a tribal state known for its wood and bamboo works, pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments and stone carving. The puppets, manufactured in the hilly areas of Jharkhand are usually made from palm leaf slivers painted with dots and finger paintings. The Malhar and Tentri communities are professionals in metal crafts and make household wares.

Karnataka

Kasuti Embroidery is most famous in Karnataka. Four distinct stitches are practiced in this craft: the 'gavnti', 'murgai', 'negi’ and 'menthi'. Design depends on the texture of the cloth, as working the embroidery involves the counting of threads. The vast range of the state's art and crafts now festoons royal homes of the past, elite bungalows, and even ordinary hutments.

Kerala

Off white Silk sarees with golden border is something that every woman from Kerala possesses. They are ethnic and beautiful. The crafts of Kerala have been perfected through the dedicated hands of the craftsmen who thrive on coconut groves and wealth of forest riches. Woodcarving is endowed with a rich variety of fine quality rose wood, white cedar, teak, and the bamboo. Coconut shell art is an exclusive art form of the state. Do not miss the traditional silk sarees.

Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India, art and craft traditions are mostly traditional in origin. There are Zari wall hangings, handbags, saris and splendid brocade borders which are mostly appraised by women. The fine quality of weaving with impressive designs in Gwalior's carpet industry has an excellent reputation.

Maharashtra

Bidri usually involves intricate workmanship of pure silver, either embossed inlaid on the metal surface. Sawantwadi crafts, originated from Sawantwadi have a large range of products and concentrates on traditional hand painted and lacquered furniture and light fittings. Kolhapur is also famous for its hand-made leather sandals or chappals. Manipur This predominantly tribal state in India’s northeast produces some astounding cane and bamboo handicrafts starting from furniture to unique collectables. Add to these Manipur’s skilled potteries, wood and stone carvings and Kauna crafts. Weaving and block printing work are other specialties of the state.

Meghalaya

Hand weaving is much sought after vocation of the artisans of Mizoram. The Khasis are popular for weaving cane mats, stools and baskets. Their special kind cane mat known as ‘Tlieng’, is famous for its durability which guarantees a good utility life span. Jaintia fishing traps made of bamboo sticks has true functional beauty. Mizoram Crafts of Mizoram have got their own popularity. Bamboo and cane industries in the state are as good as anyone can get. Handlooms and hand woven designs that come in exclusive varieties add another feather to Mizoram’s cap.

Nagaland

The important handicrafts of the Nagas are Wood-carving, Bamboo work, Pottery, Blacksmith and Wood Carving. The inclusion of finer count yarn and the translation of traditional handloom fabric into modern garments have found wider scope of expansion for the handloom industry of Nagaland.

Odisha

Odisha has preserved a superb tradition of carving, dating back to the Kalinga School. Traditional bags and Gamchhas (Towels) of Odisha are known for their simplistic beauty. Tradition of palm and stone carvings also are also associated to the Odisha artesian community.

Punjab

Phulkari work, done by the women, is one of the most fascinating folk art of Punjabi in which the cloth is covered with eye catching embroidery. Wood workers at Hoshiarpur and Kartarpur specialize in making pidhis (low, four legged woven stools) and artistic furniture with intricate designs. Weaving of Durries is also a specialty.

Rajasthan

Referred as the craft capital of India, Rajasthan specializes in providing pachranga or five-colored bandhej on saris, odhnis, or mantles and safas or turba. Kundan and Meenakari crafts are exclusive to Jaipur. Precious stones like garnets, amethysts, quartz, rubies, emeralds and diamonds are used to make Traditional jewellery. Embroidered designs on Jaipuri Jootis are also very popular across the globe.

Sikkim

Sikkim is widely known for some magnificent craftwork like woven woolen carpets and tables called Choktse which are made in varying designs and dimensions. Handmade paper is another in demand product .The traditional Sikkim’s weaves are designed into bags, shawls, jackets, traditional tapestry works, batiks etc.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is gifted with plenty of intricate and exquisite handicrafts and master craftsmen. Women of Toda tribe embroider the 'poothkulli' which they make by creating the design on the cloth without tracing the pattern or references. The popular ornaments are the oddiyaanam (gold waist belt), vanki (armlet) and jimiki (eardrop) and anklets which are traditionally crafted in the state.

Tripura

Some of the well-known crafts produced in Tripura include table mats, floor mats, room dividers, decorated wall panels, attractive furniture of cane and various gift items. The handloom industry produces cloths with elegant designs and unique color combinations with lasting texture.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is exquisitely famous for its Zari embroidered bags, bridal outfits and salwar kameezes throughout India. Lucknow, is closely associated with another fine embroidery called chikankari. Semi-precious stones, artificial pearls, glazed quartz, and glass are abundantly used in handicrafts. The Benarasi Saris are critically acclaimed for their raw beauty. Uttaranchal Uttaranchal is famous for its temple architecture, wood carving, paintings and traditional ornaments. Craftsmen of Uttaranchal have mastered the art of wood carving with specific latticework to fill in the open spaces of the windows in order to give a screen like effect. Folk art Aipan from Kumaon is another traditional specialty.

West Bengal

Bengal is famous worldwide for its fine fabrics like muslin, silk and cotton. The Kantha embroidery includes elaborate illustrations of epic and folk stories and religious motifs, worked in running, stem, satin and split stitches. Jamdani, the undisputed queen of the handloom range, attracts with its original grandeur and sophistication.