Block Printing

Rajasthan • Gujarat

Traditional textile printing using carved wooden blocks.

Each color layer uses a separate wooden block.

Ajrakh

Kutch • Gujarat

Ancient block-printing tradition known for geometric patterns and natural dyes.

Traditional Ajrakh printing can involve over 16 stages.

Jute Craft

West Bengal

Natural fibre weaving tradition using jute.

Jute is known as the ‘golden fibre’.

Batik

West Bengal • Gujarat

Wax-resist dyeing technique adapted into Indian textiles.

Every crack in batik creates a unique pattern.

Chikankari

Lucknow • Uttar Pradesh

Traditional white embroidery known for delicate floral motifs and fine handwork.

Chikankari was once patronised by Mughal royalty.

Ikat

Odisha • Telangana • Gujarat

Resist-dye weaving tradition where threads are dyed before weaving.

Ikat patterns are created before the fabric is woven.

Kalamkari

Andhra Pradesh

Hand-painted and block-printed textile art using natural dyes.

Kalamkari literally means 'pen craftsmanship'.

Patola

Gujarat

Double ikat silk weaving tradition from Patan.

A genuine Patola saree can take months to weave.

Pattachitra

Odisha • West Bengal

Scroll painting tradition with mythological themes.

Pattachitra artists traditionally made their own natural colors.

Bagru Print

Rajasthan

Traditional hand block printing using natural dyes and mud resist.

Bagru printing relies heavily on natural ingredients.

Bead Work

Jamdani

West Bengal

Fine muslin weaving with intricate motifs.

Jamdani weaving is recognised by UNESCO.

Kantha

West Bengal

Running-stitch embroidery tradition created from layered old fabrics.

Kantha embroidery traditionally reused old sarees.

Kutch Embroidery

Phulkari

Punjab

Colorful embroidery tradition from Punjab.

Phulkari means 'flower work'.

Sujani

Bihar

Narrative embroidery tradition from Bihar.

Sujani embroidery often depicts village life.

Gond

Madhya Pradesh

Tribal art tradition using dots and intricate patterns.

Gond paintings often depict animals and forests.

Kundan

Rajasthan

Traditional gemstone jewelry setting technique.

Kundan jewelry uses highly refined gold foil.

Lac Craft

Madhubani

Bihar

Traditional folk painting known for intricate linework and symbolism.

Madhubani art was traditionally painted on mud walls.

Meenakari

Rajasthan

Colorful enamel jewelry tradition.

Meenakari jewelry flourished in Mughal courts.

Blue Pottery

Jaipur • Rajasthan

Distinctive pottery craft known for blue floral motifs.

Blue Pottery is made without traditional clay.

Moonj Craft

Sanganeri Print

Jaipur • Rajasthan

Fine floral hand block printing known for detailed patterns.

Sanganeri prints were once exported to Europe.

Banarasi Weaving

Varanasi • Uttar Pradesh

Luxurious silk weaving tradition from Varanasi.

Banarasi sarees are prized wedding heirlooms.

Bandhani

Gujarat • Rajasthan

Traditional tie-dye textile craft with tiny dotted patterns.

A single Bandhani saree may contain thousands of tiny knots.

Bidri

Karnataka

Metal inlay craft with silver work on blackened alloy.

Bidriware gets its black finish from special soil.

Cane Craft

Coconut Shell Craft

Dabu Print

Rajasthan

Mud-resist hand block printing tradition from Rajasthan.

Dabu printing uses a special mud paste resist.

Kasuti

Karnataka

Traditional counted-thread embroidery from Karnataka.

Kasuti stitches are identical on both sides of the fabric.

Leheriya

Rajasthan

Wave-pattern tie-dye textile tradition.

Leheriya patterns resemble flowing desert waves.

Metal Engraving

Paithani

Maharashtra

Handwoven silk saree tradition from Paithan.

Paithani sarees were once traded internationally.

Sabai Grass Craft

Terracotta

West Bengal • Tamil Nadu

Ancient baked clay craft tradition.

Terracotta is among the oldest art traditions in India.

Toda Embroidery

Tamil Nadu

Distinct red and black embroidery practiced by the Toda tribe.

Toda embroidery is often called 'embroidery without needles'.

Wood & Natural Material Crafts

Wood Carving

Bamboo Craft

Black Pottery

Brass Craft

Channapatna Toys

Karnataka

Lacquered wooden toy-making tradition.

Natural vegetable dyes are traditionally used.

Copper Craft

Dhokra

West Bengal • Chhattisgarh

Ancient metal casting craft using the lost-wax technique.

Dhokra craft carries a legacy of over 4,000 years.

Handmade Paper Craft

Kalighat Painting

Miniature Painting

Rajasthan • Himachal Pradesh

Detailed small-format paintings from royal courts.

Miniature paintings were created using squirrel-hair brushes.

Molela Clay Art

Sandalwood Craft

Tanjore Painting

Bell Metal Craft

Cheriyal Scroll Painting

Kalamkari Painting

Papier-Mâché

Kashmir

Decorative craft using molded paper pulp.

Kashmiri papier-mâché often uses gold detailing.

Phad Painting

Saura Art

Silver Filigree

Thewa

Warli

Maharashtra

Minimal tribal painting tradition using geometric human figures.

Warli paintings traditionally used rice paste.