Art and crafts of West Bengal

Alpana Floor Drawings

These drawings are related to ancient magic cults. These drawings are also used for decorative purpose, in the modern times. Alpana is a ritualistic drawing made on the floor during a festive or religious occasion. This custom is practiced by the women of West Bengal.

Dolls

These are used by children and for decorative purposes and made with small cloth, cotton & wool. Root from a Japanese influence, this craft has lately gained immense popularity in Bengal. These dolls are known as RAG DOLLS. Clay Dolls are also made in Bengal. These dolls are unique in their realism and have the quality in their finish.

Chikankari Embroidery

In West Bengal, Chikankari is an embroidery work which is practiced. It is done by using white cotton thread on fine white muslin. fabric. A variety of silk, called moga, is used for outlining the embroidered portions to create an enhanced effect. The designs of Chikankari Embroidery are very delicate

Jute Products

Bengal is a major producer of jute goods ranging from plush juteblended carpets, to decorative tapestries, garden pot hangings, decorative hand bags, bedspreads etc. In ancient times Jute as a fabric was much popular. In West Dinajpur, the process of colouring, weaving of jute on single looms goes on.Jute, the golden fibre has traditionally been braided by women of Bengal, often for domestic storage

Dhokra Craft
Dhokra Craft indicates variety of beautifully shaped and decorated brassware products created by the lost wax process. Dhokras indicate group of nomadic craftsmen who use lost-wax process tocast hollow brass objects and images. Dhokra Craft is the method of non-ferrous metal casting. In India, these craftsmen are clustered in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal. The technique of Dhokra is "Cire Perdue" or lost wax process in which metal, mainly brass, scrap is used. The Dhokra craftsmen went from tribe to tribe making their ceremonial and religious figures, ornaments and kitchenware. Dhokra group of tribal craftsmen give us a timeless heritage of beautifully shaped and ornamented products of cast metals.

Masks

In Bengal, masks actually represent the theatrical tradition are used by the Chhou dancers of Purulia and those who perform the Gambhira dances of Malda. The masks generally made here are of mythological character and the material used is paper mache painted in bright colours. Today Masks are more popular as items of interior decoration.

Kalighat Paintings

The name Kalighat comes from the place where the artists originally set up their practice, around Kalighat Temple in Kolkata on the banks of the Hooghly. Kalighat Paintings is a typical style of watercolor on paper, which has its roots in cultural upheavals of 19th century colonial Bengal. The painting helps us understand the mode of life at the time of its design and immortalize events which would otherwise be lost to future generations. This peculiar type of painting is followed by the artists belonging to the Patua community. The paintings shows scenes from Hindu mythologies, in the beginning and were later replaced by themes showing the British rule in India. Nowadays, the artists use both religious themes and social themes. Images of birds, animals, snakes and fishes are also found in the paintings.

Pottery

In various colors such as red, orange, brown, black and cream, Handmade pottery mainly consisted of different types of bowls, jars, vessels, etc. Handmodeled Pottery is mainly a woman's art in West Bengal. Variety of dolls and toys are made by Women of Patua caste. Handmodeled pottery is made exclusively by women in Bishnupur, Murshidabad and some other places in Midnapore.

Wood & Sandalwood Carvings

Wood Carvings In West Bengal, Wood is widely used for making toys and decorative panels. Image made in wood relate back to traditional icons, deities some of them stylised to a modern look. Sandalwood Carving Sandalwood is of graeat religious significance and one of the oldest fragrances known to man. Sandal wood is of two types one is srigandha which is close grained and yellowish-brown in colour and used for carving and nagagandha which is darkish-brown in colour and from which oil is extracted.

Textiles of West Bengal

Dhoop Chhaon Saree In Bishnupur,(West Bengal) Dhoop Chhaon Saree is a famous textile product.Dhoop Chhaon literally means double shade, which refers to the apparent difference in color when seen from different angles or lights.The borders of the saree contain patterns of small yellow flowers. This saree is woven from silk. .

 Tangail

Saree Tangail Saree contains tiny repeating patterns, giving the feel of an embroidery work. Borders of this saree are adorned with designs depicting temples and the patterns seen on the rudraksha.The silk saree features dark shades and is mostly preferred during special occasions.

Tussar Embroidery Sarees The Bengali Tussar Embroidery Sarees are specially handspun to contain a crisp pebbly texture on the surface. These sarees are not artificially colored. The embroidery is done using a particular stitch called the kantha, which is a kind of running stitch.

 Tussar

Brocade Sarees The Tussar brocade sarees feature heavy ornamental designs. The pallu (falling edge of the saree) features complex jacquard designs.The fibers are of fine nature, colored in dyes extracted from natural materials used in this saree . This saree is light and comfortable to wear.

 Tant

Sarees Tant sarees come in a wide range of styles and colors. They feature broad silkembroidered borders.Their pallu (falling edge of the saree) is embellished with delicate embroidery. They are ideal as a casual wear.

 Nilambari

Saree The word nilambari literally means blue sky referring to the saree's deep navy-blue color. The pallu (the falling edge of the saree) is decorated with stripes of varying thickness