Oh Kolkata Team
West Bengal is one of the most popular cultural hubs of India, which preserves the tradition of making arts, crafts, textiles, and other socio-cultural facets that represent India. West Bengal has nourished a lot of artisans and craftsmen in her womb. Bengal shows the variety of crafts it has been making for ages. Every form of arts and crafts has its own meaning and deep-rooted values associated with it, which can be spiritual, or religious, or can be having any means of traditions attached to it. It reflects the ample love and immense care put behind delivering these beautiful pieces of art.
Here are the handicrafts of West Bengal that will surely be going to stun you forever.
Terracotta craft is one of the ancient art forms of Bengal, which is internationally appreciated as well. This craft is still as popular as was in the 16th – 17th Century. The potters or “Khumbhakars” have been making decorative items, statues, flower vases, etc by molding and drying burnt clays.
Sholapith (Sola pith) is a milky-white sponge-wood more like a cork substance. It can be carved easily to form many beautiful handicrafts, such as head-wear of bride and groom, dolls, Images of Gods and Goddesses, peacock-boats, birds, animals, etc. It’s also used for decoration at the Durga Puja Pandals. Sholapith Crafts are widespread all over Bengal, which is actually originating from Murshidabad, Birbhum, Nadia, Burdwan, and Hoogly District of West Bengal.
One of the most unique and beautiful forms of handicraft is the Conch Shell craft. It is something auspicious in Hindu mythology. Beautiful engravings are done on the surface of the shells that are collected from the ocean. Even an entire episode of the Mahabharata can be engraved on a conch shell.
Patachitra is not just a painting; it defines tales, stories, and other themes alongside. The Patua artists, who are painters as well as singers do this Patachitra or pat-er gaan, where the paint stories in picture frames on long scrolls of cloth. They sing the story as they unfurl the long scroll of cloth. The theme of Patachitra is widely varied at present ages.
Jute is a biodegradable natural fiber. The farmers of Bengal have been cultivating jute for ages for it can be utilized for various purposes. Jute products are made especially in cottage industries, for jute ropes, mats, handbags, baskets, and much more.
Doll making is a traditional craft of Bengal. It is made with different materials. Actually, dolls have been crafted for religious purposes and hold spiritual values. Hence, doll making is very popular in Bengal. Clay, wood, leaf, jute, metal are the typical materials used for doll making in different parts of Bengal.
Masks are also known as Mukhosh, is also one of the popular crafts of Bengal. Mask making is associated with many traditional beliefs and rituals. It was of great religious importance and these rituals of mask-wearing have been going on since pre-historic ages.
Clay potteries and Clay dolls of Bengal are very popular in India. Clays are molded, shaped, dried (especially on fire), painted (if required) and varnished. The dolls look real-life like and reflect the hard work, love, and dedication these potters and artisans devote.
Kantha stitch is a beautiful form of stitching techniques that form wonderful embroidery on clothing. It outlines decorative images and patterns with colorful threads on clothes. It is generally used on sarees, ethnic wears, bedsheets, quilts, kurtas, etc.
Cane and Bamboo crafts are one of the oldest forms of handicrafts in Bengal. Bamboo baskets, boxes, handbags, etc are made from bamboo stems and leaves. Most of the artisans of Bengal have been doing this as a full-time job, keeping the beautiful art alive.
From doors, door frames, toys, decorative panels to idols, statues, and furniture – wood is widely used in Bengal by the artisans. Sometimes, stone, earth, and colors are also used along with wood as raw materials.
Madur means mat, and mat weaving is another cottage industry business of West Bengal. The warp of cotton thread and soft grass weed is generally weaved on a bamboo frame to make a mat. Madur craftsperson also makes curtains, hats, sun-guards, and much more out of it.
Bankura District of West Bengal is famous for its terracotta horses. The tradition of terracotta crafts and horses originated from the Panchmura village in Bankura District. These terracotta horses have spiritual values. In villages, one can see the terracotta animals under pipal trees, which symbolizes the fulfillment of aspirations of village people. In modern times, these terracotta horses are sold as decorative items as well, not only in West Bengal but in all the other parts of India.
Metal Specifically utensils are made with the Bell metals or ‘Kansha’. It’s very much deep-rooted with almost every Bengali person’s life. These utensils and other products are meant both for domestic purposes and special occasions. The ‘Kaanshari’ or the artisans who make bell metal crafts are also skilled to design handcrafted artifacts, metal wares, and other decorative items out of it.
