Handmade in India A Geographic Encyclopedia of India Handicrafts

A source book of handicrafts, Handmade in India is a unique compendium of Indian crafts. This encyclopedic publication maps the crafts of the country, and captures the traditions that have enriched the day-to-day lives of Indian people while being a source of livelihood for generations of craftspeople. Handmade in India probes all aspects of handicrafts-historical, social, and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products and tools-unraveling a wealth of knowledge. Handmade in India is based on extensive field work and research, and maps out the regional craft clusters identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craft-work patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India. Some of these are well known, like the pinjrakari and khatumband woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, chikankari embroidery of Lucknow, the kannadi or metal mirrors from Aranmula, chappals or footwear from Kolhapur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. The first of its kind ever attempted, this publication, with its stunning photographs, will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals, and connoisseurs alike. It will be of immense value for facilitating worldwide participation in the planning and development of the handicraft sector in India. It will also be a useful reference for libraries interested in Indian crafts and culture, and organizations and agencies that work for and with the crafts sector in India.