THEVA ART
- Description: Jewelry with gold work on glass, using colored Belgium glass. It includes women’s jewelry, decorative items, and deity figures.
- Main Center: Pratapgarh
- Promoters: Nathu Ji Soni; Mahesh Raj Soni (Padma Shri awardee), Girish Kumar Soni (National Awardee).
- International Promotion: By Justin Vaky.
TERRACOTTA
- Description: Sculptures and decorative items made by baking clay, often mixed with donkey soil and heated to 800°C.
- Main Centers:
- Molela (Rajsamand): Padma Shri to Mohanlal Kumawat.
- Harji (Jalore): Known for making god horses.
- Bu (Nagaur) and Baropal (Hanumangarh).
BLUE POTTERY
- Description: Known for its blue-painted ceramic pots, originating from China and Persia. Introduced to Jaipur during Sawai Ram Singh’s reign.
- Main Center: Jaipur
- Key Figures: Kripal Singh Shekhawat (Padma Shri awardee) developed the Kripal style with 25 colors.
- Other Artisans: Nathibai, Trilokchand, Bhagwan Sahay, and others.
MEENAKARI
- Description: Enameling on gold jewelry, often using colors like black, blue, dark yellow, and pink.
- Main Center: Jaipur
- Historical Origin: Artisans were brought to Jaipur by Maan Singh from Lahore.
- Key Figures: Kudrat Singh (Padma Shri recipient).
Dyeing and Printing Techniques
- Azhrak Print: Blue and red prints with Turkish-style geometric patterns, centered in Barmer.
- Maleer Print: Uses black and brown shades, primarily from Barmer.
- Sanganeri Print: Known for its black and red colors, typically on muslin. Popularized by Munna Lal Goyal.
- Bagru Print: Uses natural colors with green backgrounds and bubble patterns.
- Dabu Print: A resist-dyeing technique where specific parts remain colorless, prominent in Akola (Chittorgarh).
- Kota Doria: Famous for its square-shaped designs, originating from Kathun (Kota) and Mangrol (Baran).
Unique Handicrafts
- Kavad Art: Traditional wooden work with multiple doors and mythological depictions. Made by the artisans from Bassi (Chittorgarh).
- Badale: Zinc vessels with cloth or hide layers, keeping water cool. Centered in Jodhpur.
- Lac Work: Known for lac bangles and ornaments, with artisans like Ayaz Ahmed from Jaipur.
- Tarakashi: Silver inlay work, primarily in Nathdwara (Rajsamand).
- Koftagiri: Gold inlay work on iron, centered in Jaipur and Alwar.
- Marble Idols: Jaipur, with Arjun Lal Prajapat being a Padma Shri awardee.
Traditional Textiles
- Bandhej Print: Tie-dye technique centered in Jaipur.
- Lehriya Print: Known for its wavy patterns, prominent in Jaipur and Pali.
- Chunri: Jodhpur is known for this traditional fabric.
- Jajam Print: Primarily used for blacksmith women’s clothing, centered in Chittorgarh.
Traditional Crafts with Geographical Indication (GI)
- Kota Doria: Kota
- Blue Pottery: Jaipur
- Molela Clay Work: Molela (Rajsamand)
- Puppet Making: Udaipur
- Sanganeri Hand Block Print: Sanganer, Jaipur
- Theva Art: Pratapgarh
- Makrana Marble: Makrana, Nagaur
- Bagru Hand Block Print: Bagru, Jaipur
- Bikaneri Bhujia: Bikaner
- Phulkari: Sri Ganganagar
These crafts represent Rajasthan’s vibrant cultural heritage, each with unique techniques, colors, and styles that reflect the region’s traditions and history. From intricate jewelry to traditional textiles, they continue to contribute to the state’s cultural and economic landscape.