Stunning Facts about Indian Handicrafts

India is known all over the world for its handicrafts. The Indian government recognizes the importance of the handicraft industry and even takes measures to protect and promote it. The country is, by some measures, the largest supplier of handicrafts in the world. The Indian handicraft industry is valued at $100 billion worldwide, and it enjoys a continuous 20% annual growth rate. Through this industry alone, India contributes over 1% of the entire global economy. Domestically, the demand for these handicrafts is not widespread, but the appetite of international buyers for such goods cannot seem to be satiated.

The Indian handicraft industry is highly intensive and decentralized; it is largely a cottage based industry that is located in small towns and rural communities. The product portfolio of Indian handicrafts is extraordinarily extensive, featuring earthenware, crocheted goods, marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry, bamboo products, statuettes, paintings, metal wares, embodied goods, leather, shawls, textiles and carpets. Any of these products would add richness to a home.

The historical facts about these products are stunning. For example, there are crafters who do Kalamkari, an ancient textile art in which everything used from the brushes to the fabric is completely organic. Similarly, Meenakarai jewelry goes through the same creative processes that craftsmen began over five hundred years ago and handcrafted Indian puppets represent some of the oldest forms of education and entertainment in the world. The patterns and art seen on many mugs, paintings and sheets are known as Warli art, which dates back to nearly 2500 BC. Many products are still painted with the same vegetable colors that they were 3,500 years ago.

Many of these gorgeous, culturally rich handicrafts are not mass produced, so each product features the soul and spirit of its crafter. Indian handicrafts reflect the heritage, history and religion of the country. 

Add Beauty to Your Home with Unique Wall Sculptures

Indian wall sculptures are a wonderful way to brighten up a space and turn any room into an exotic escape that inspires imagination, dreams, and contemplation. Unique wall sculptures from India serve to create a bold focal point and add interest. Some of the best online stores selling Indian art carry a wonderful collection of various styles of wall art, such as hanging masks, paintings, colorful clocks or sculptures.

Why not buy yourself a beautiful wall art piece depicting a tribal music band comprised of two Indian musicians? This wall art shows one musician playing the tabla, an Indian instrument made up of two drums, which symbolizes individuality. This instrument—which is known for its light music—is the hallmark instrument of North India. The other player is playing the vaja, which is known for its piercing tonality and sensitivity. It represents the delicate nature of life and its ability to harmonize different tones and sounds.

Another great wall sculpture that could spice up any room is a hanging mask. Each mask represents different characteristics. These are very colorful items with deep colors that convey equally deep meanings. They make a bold statement in any room and will catch the eye of any visitor. For example, there is a beautiful wall mask that represents the figure of Mahkala, who is known as the Protector of Tibetan Buddhism. This face is known for its ability to remove obstacles in one’s life and is an enjoyer of all things good, lucky and enlightening. The mask is worn by Tibetans to ward off evil spirits; similarly, it will serve to keep the negative feelings of any household at bay.

These sorts of interesting wall pieces can be purchased at affordable prices with reasonable shipping charges all the way from India. You don’t have to fly to the exotic east—let its art be delivered to you by shopping online. 

Purchase Rare Indian Wall Sculptures Online

Indian wall hangings can be great alternatives to the usual photographs and paintings used as interior design elements.  Rare pieces made out of all kinds of materials, ranging from textile to metal, wood, and other forms can be sourced from authentic Indian art retailers online, and at the most reasonable price rates. Before you make your purchase, it is best to do a bit of researching about the artist of the piece, the materials and techniques used, the design scheme, as well as the usual pricing for similar types of sculptures to make sure you are getting the best value for your hard earned money.

There are many different types of wall sculptures you will find online ranging from two-dimensional textile, canvas, or fabric wall hangings to more complex three dimensional art in metal, glass, wood, paper, or other materials.

Metal is quite a popular choice, especially for contemporary pieces. This is because metal is a very durable, versatile, and eye-catching material. Metal wall sculptures can be created in various ways, depending on the type of wall art being made. Thick metal wires are often bent into shape, patter or image, while flat sheets are either stamped or engraved with intricate designs. Some artists use pieces of irregularly shaped metals to form a piece while others use a combination of techniques. 

Wood is also a good choice of material for wall art, especially if you like a more traditional look. Combined with other materials, wood can also bring a contemporary flair to your wall decor. Wood wall hangings can be carved into elaborate patterns and designs or used with bold shapes for dramatic effects. Wood can also be painted, stained, or given different kinds of finishes.

Fabric wall hangings and textile art are also great art forms that can be very versatile as wall hangings or as throws and blankets. They can be machine embroidered, silk screened, digitally printed, dyed, or woven.

Buy Unique Statues of Indian Gods and Goddesses Online

Contrary to popular belief, Hindu deities are not individual gods that indicate a polytheistic faith. These deities and images are rather different embodiments of the various aspects of the one god and source known as Brahman. The physical representations of Brahman's attributes in the form of images and deities are vehicles for devotees to focus their attention, meditation, and devotion on a particular aspect or attribute of Brahman's character in a form that can easily be visualized and in turn, held in the mind.

These deities can be seen as reflecting various aspects and characteristics of Brahman and his embodiments with the use of different features such as the way the image is dressed, its posture, its physical characteristics, and the symbolic objects that are also present in the image. It should also be noted that here are many ways that each deity can be presented. In some cases, for instance, different symbols may show that a particular deity belongs to a specific family, such as some deities that are associated with Vishnu or those that belong to common Hindu heritage.

Online, you will also see Indian god and goddess statues in a wide range of unique media, including wood, metal, stone, and even plastic. Images found in temples are usually much more majestic than the typical statues you would find in Hindu homes, but you will find a wide variety of high-grade statues that you can install in your home as a focal point for your personal worship. 

Each god or goddess is also associated with a specific vehicle, such as a bird or some type of animal on which the deity travels. These vehicles are used in traditional Indian religious art to depict and extend the qualities or powers of the deity and to represent their close relationship with all things.

Find Affordable Artful Hanuman Statues Online

Hanuman, as per Hindu traditions is the embodiment of devotion, resourcefulness, cunning intelligence, elocutionary skills, and ascetic powers. It is no surprise that shrines honoring the Hindu god can be found across Hindu nations, particularly in India. Statues of Hanuman often depict meekness and what looks like hushed awe. The same attitudes overtake him when he is in the presence of his lord, Rama. To express the same feeling of veneration, statues of Hanuman are often portrayed with his right hand raised in the direction of his mouth and nose, in order to make sure that his unworthy breath will not taint the purity of Rama, before whom he stands.

Artistic representations of Hanuman often portray him in a dhoti, pulled right up above his knees, as if to indicate how ready he is for any active role upon demand. He will also usually be seen wearing a number of decorations, ranging from bicep ornaments to anklets, bracelets, waistbands. A pearl necklace usually adorns his throat—the same necklace given to him by Sita as a token of appreciation for the monkey-god's intelligence and heart.

Other artful depictions of Hanuman show a standing posture, but always with a humble stature to depict respect. A more heroic stance is also popular, with him standing, legs apart and two hands ripping open his chest to reveal within his heart, Rama or both Rama and Sita together.

You will find a wide range of other depictions of the beloved god online and in special craft stores. Shop only at trusted and reputable websites to make sure you are getting authentic handmade products from renowned Indian artisans. Online stores dedicated to Indian crafts and similar products from all over the region also exist, providing you with an extensive range of imaginative and extremely high-quality handicrafts.

Know Various Postures of the Ganesh Statue

There are far more Ganesha idols and statues than you probably know and have seen in your lifetime. Lord Ganesha statues can be classified according to his characteristics, posture, and even his trunk position. However, posture is one of the most important distinctions you should know especially when buying a Ganesh idol for gifting:

·         A sitting Ganesha (lalitasana posture) is probably the most common type of statue you will find in many homes and offices. It represents a relaxed and calm deity. His sitting posture denotes meditation as he calmly watches over the household/office. Variations in his sitting position also denote different meanings.

·         A standing Ganesha (abhanga posture) idol is also quite popular. This posture signifies rigidity as well as the right attitude, which is why statues in the abhanga posture are usually placed in areas where they can greet guests as they arrive.

·         A dancing Ganesha is known for its gracefulness. This posture is often attributed to the dance of destruction, which is probably why these statues are not commonly seen at homes and places of business. However, this posture denotes power and courage, particularly ones where Lord Ganesha is seen dancing on his vehicle mouse.

·         A reclining Ganesha on the other hand is considered more of a creative depiction of the got, than an idol for worship. These statues are commonly seen in homes, but rarely in actual pooja rooms. They are loved for their regal look, which goes well with home decor. Most reclining Ganesh statues depict Lord Ganesha reclining with one arm on a pillow to represent luxury and comfort.

These are only some of the most common classifications of Ganesh dolls, based on their posture. However, these statues can also be classified according to the direction of his Trunk as well as the way his body bends. Lakshmi Ganesha statues depict the god sitting with both his wives on either thigh. This particular idol signifies achievement and wisdom.

Look for Krishna Statues in Different Poses Online

Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu, a deity worshipped across different traditions of Hinduism, based on different perspectives (i.e. as the Supreme God or as an avatar of Vishnu). Krishna is among the most widely revered out of all the Hindu deities. His depictions and representations can easily recognize him. Most iconographies portray him with dark or black skin, while others show a blue complexion. He is also often shown to wear a peacock feather crown and a silk dhoti. Common portrayals show him as a young man or a little boy in an iconic and characteristically relaxed pose while playing the flute. In this pose/form, Krishna stands with a leg (usually the right appendage) bent in front of the other, flute raised up to his lips. This is known as the Tribhanga posture. He is also often depicted to be surrounded/accompanied by cows, which emphasizes his role as a divine herdsman.

A battlefield scene out of Mahabharata is also a popular subject for representation of Krishna, where he is show as a man possessing supreme God characteristics of a Hindu religious art—one with multiple arms/heads, which denotes power, along with some attributes of Vishnu, such as his two-armed form as charioteer or the chakra. Other representations show Him as a man in an upright and formal standing position alone or with associated figures of his sister Subhadra and Balarama or his queens, Styabhama and Rukmini.

Online and elsewhere, you will also find Krishna statues depicted as a small child dancing or crawling on his hands and knees. The Tribhanga or Trubuha, which is a traditional sculpture/dance stance/pose, is commonly reserved for Krishna, particularly during the 9^thcentury, as seen in old temples like the classic Khajuraho temples and Hoysala temples of Belur (south central Karnataka).