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Since years and years, tree and wood has been most trusted companion of the mankind. Wood is generally a hard substance composing stems and branches of a tree and is useful in construction of houses, furniture, toys, decorative items, kitchenware and other immense articles. In ancient times wood was collected for making abode and weapons too. But as the time moved and new generations came into existence the purpose of craft also shifted towards craft purposes and especially in making of beautiful ornaments by the artisans.
Traditional country like India also witnessed the splendiferous styles of wooden art. Artisans inherited the art of woodcraft from their ancestors and became one of the most popular and common occupations for them and one of the important means of earning livelihood. In India woodcraft has been done on woods of different plants and trees. As India is a rich country in culture, art and craft, woodcraft has been a foremost art. Picturesque designs of woodcraft can be seen all around and fascinates most of the art lovers and people from all over the world. Most striking use of woodcraft has been for antique wooden jewellery, which even fascinates most of the fashion freaks now days. We can see tremendous samples and working of antique craft in most well known places of India like Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka etc. |
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Uttar Pradesh is well known for its woodcarvings and Saharanpur is also known for its carvings in hard sheesham and particularly for its famous vine-Ieaf patterns. The wide range of designs includes floral, geometric, anguri and takai carvings, jail, and brass copper and ivory inlay work. Mainpuri is famous for woodwork on ebony or black sheesham inlaid with brass wire. Banaras is known for lacquered toys and miniature utensils for children to play with. Kondaoalli is known for brightly painted wooeden toys, while Etikopakka is known for wood lacquer ware. Even Rajasthan is noted for its carved sandalwood and rosewood besides heavy ornamental furniture.
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Lacquering on wood not only lends colour and sparkle to the products, but also smoothens out the contours thereby imparting a lustrous finesse. India is well known for ornamental lacquering involving intricate patterns like zigzag and dana work, atishi, abri or cloud and nakkashi. In Varanasi, a number of lacquered toys and miniature kitchen utensils for children to play with are made.
The craftsmen of Kashmir create carvings on wood obtained from walnut tree. It is the only state in India where walnut trees grow. Furniture items like tables; chairs, stools etc have rich floral and beautiful patterns carved on them.
Rajasthan is known for articles and decorative objects made from locally obtained wood. Each region of Rajasthan has its own unique wood tradition. Barmer is well known for carved furniture like tables, low stools etc. Also known for Carved wood items such as cabinets, screens and wood figurines in the shape of animals. But woodcraft in Punjab is restricted to making of carved legs of beds and manjis and boxes.
The craftsmen of Madhya Pradesh use huge variety of wood like Sheesham, teak, Kikar, Dhudi etc for many useful and simple household items. Woodcraft from the tribal belt of Bastar is known for figures of tribal deities, carved wooden memorials, masks etc. Madhya Pradesh is also famous for painted and lacquered wood product such as toys, boxes, bedposts, cradles posts, flower vases etc. Gwalior, Shepur-Kalan, Rewa and Budhni are main centers of wood lacquering |
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Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil nadu too, have their distinct wood carving traditions. Karnataka is famous for carvings and decorative pieces made from sandalwood. Sandalwood items like, boxes, trays, key chains, small figurines are not only carved tastefully but they also give out subtle smell of sandal. Whereas West Bengal and Kerala are known for items made from the wood obtained from coconut tree.
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