The Venice of the East, the city of Srinagar, with its lakes and waterways, gardens and houseboats, mountains and meadows, is a paradise on earth.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a city steeped in history, culture, and traditions. The city has been a hub of crafts and folk arts for centuries, and this has earned it the coveted title of a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts, only second city in India in this category after Jaipur.
Srinagar has a long tradition of crafts and folk arts, with skills passed down from generation to generation. One of the most popular crafts of Srinagar is papier-mâché, a technique of making decorative objects using paper pulp. The artisans of Srinagar use natural dyes and intricate designs to create stunning pieces of art, such as vases, bowls, and figurines. These intricate designs and the use of vibrant colors make papier-mâché one of the most popular crafts in Srinagar.
Another popular craft in Srinagar is wood carving. The woodcarvers of Srinagar use a variety of woods such as walnut, deodar, and chinar to create stunning pieces of furniture, doors, and decorative items. The intricate designs and attention to detail make the woodcarvings of Srinagar highly prized.
Embroidery is another craft that is practiced in Srinagar. The embroidery of Srinagar is known for its delicate and intricate designs. The artisans of Srinagar use a variety of techniques such as crewel and chain stitch to create beautiful patterns and designs on a variety of fabrics such as shawls, sarees, and bedspreads.
Srinagar is also famous for its carpet making. The carpets of Srinagar are made using traditional techniques and designs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The carpets are known for their intricate designs and high quality, and are exported to different parts of the world.
Folk arts are an essential part of the cultural heritage of Srinagar. One of the most popular folk arts is the Kashmiri music, which has a distinct sound and style. The Sufiana kalam, a form of Sufi music, is also popular in Srinagar. The city is also known for its traditional dance forms, such as the Rouff, Hafiza, and Bacha Nagma.
UNESCO Creative City designation of Srinagar is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the city.
India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, and its traditional toy craft reflects this diversity. Traditionally toys have been used as part of storytelling. Traditional toys date back to Indus valley civilization. Toys and dolls were found in the excavation of Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
The story behind Kathputli is that a long time ago, a king ordered all the toys in his kingdom to be burned, including the beloved puppets of a group of wandering performers.
Pichwai paintings are typically large-scale works of art that depict the life and legends of Lord Krishna, particularly his childhood and early adult life. Pichwai art is still practiced today by a small number of artists and artisans, particularly in the town of Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Many of these artists come from families with a long tradition of creating Pichwai paintings and have been trained in the art form from a young age.
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