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A magical sojourn reverberating with
ageold culture and traditions, the state
enfolds in its lap a diverse kaleidoscope
of breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating
art-de-facts. The range is unparalleled
even while it is sophisticated in its simplicity.
It has something for almost every kind of
traveler, revealing avast range of arts
and crafts, which is a treat for the visuals
and are ready to be picked. The Bazaars
spill with products and there is a magnificent
glow of colours all over.
Intricate work carved on handicrafts or
the wonders of gems and stones, it has it
all and even more like the colours dancing
on the textiles and fabrics with silver
or gold threads settings and complimented
with the variety of Silk-threads, Beads,
Gota, Zari, Zardosi, Banarasi, etc. designed
by the age old families of skilled artisans.
The amazing use of clay in the form of sculpture
and decorative arts,the paintings from different
schools like Miniature, Mughal and the different
Rajasthani shailis (school of art) and more
are piled up, revealing the medieval splashes
and recording historic and dramatic events.
Almost capturing the senses!
The age old art of dyes and colours hold
the centre of attraction.
Every part of the state, every town, every
village is associated with the rich heritage
of craftsmanship so particular to Rajasthan.
Entire villages practice crafts - sometimes
a vast spectrum, on other occasions just
a single skill that can range from dhurrie
weaving to terracotta products.
These traditions once helped to form the
different layers of a self-supporting society
in villages and towns, and it is this that
has ensured their survival. Most crafts
are still practiced because they find use
in local society - the painters, for example,
still do frescos on temple walls, and the
village cobbler makes thick-soled shoes
for the farmers, reserving the more delicate
versions for visitors.
Today, Rajasthan's markets spill with an
exciting array of goods: paintings, jewellery,
fabrics and textiles, soft-as-gossamer quilts,
clay pottery and blue pottery, dhurries
and carpets, wood, metal and stone sculpture,
leatherware and terracotta.
Little bells dance in the breeze, puppets
dangle from strings, embroidered footwear
brightens up stores, lights glow in huge
glass candelabra and gemstones spill across
pavements: in Rajasthan's treasure-trove,
you could spend days simply exploring the
world of the artisan. |
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