Shopping in Rajasthan
A
magical sojourn reverberating with age old 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 a vast 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.
