Karnataka- A handcrafted experience like no other.

The beauty of hand crafted artisanal objects is the uniqueness of each piece, which is in stark contrast to the identical nature of assembly line production. The man hours, dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece bonds the maker and the receiver in unexplainable ways. Which is also the reason why many at times a handcrafted object ends up being an heirloom passed on from one generation to the next. It is a perfect memento for the traveller who seeks to take along a piece of a journey with them.

While the handicraft industry has struggled to build a strong footing due to the competition from mass produced items, Karnataka as a state has managed to preserve most of their traditional handmade crafts. With around 45 GI tagged products under its belt, the state has the highest number of globally recognized and coveted handicrafts in the country.

From skillfully made pots, miniatures carefully sculpted out of sandalwood to sarees with stories of epics woven into them, Karnataka’s expansive list of handmade artisanal products are sure to entice you. Curated below are some of the prominent handicrafts of the state, so that you can get your hands on at least some of them during your next visit.

Terracotta Pottery

Believed to be one of the oldest of crafts, pottery has always been in vogue. Over the years, owing to popular demand, the art has expanded to include new designs under its umbrella. The clay is moulded into different shapes and sizes to make coffee mugs, wall panels, vases, animal motifs and statues of mythological figures.

Banjara Handicrafts

The semi-nomadic tribes of Banjara are regarded as the patrons of this craft. The women make vivid patch work quilts abound in geometric patterns. About three to six layers of reused fabric are held together by running stitches. Silver, brass, gold, ivory, animal bone, mirrors and even plastic are transformed as embellishments on these garments. They are mainly found in the districts of Bellary, Bijapur, Raichur, Gulbarga and Belgaum.

Ilkal Sarees

The Ilkal sarees take its name from a quaint little village in Bagalkot district and it also has the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. These sarees are famous around the world for their unique weaving method – cotton for the body, art silk for border, and art silk again for the pallav, which are then joined together with a series of loops. The patrons of these handmade sarees include celebrities and political figures.

Kinhal Wood Carving

Kinhal wood carving is the lacquerware woodcraft that takes its name from a small town in Koppal district. The craft was highly patronized by the Vijayanagara kings. Using a paste of tamarind seeds and pebbles to stick carved parts of wood, the Chitragars or artists create exquisite figurines and idols. A mixture of pebble powder and liquid gum is then used to sculpt ornaments and jewellery on these figures. The breathtaking designs of the Kinhal art can be easily differentiated from other forms of art by its vibrant colours and intricate designs. Kinhal toys have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the World Trade Organisation.

Sandalwood Carving

Undoubtedly one of the most exquisite arts associated with Karnataka, sandalwood carving has an illustrious thousand year history. Elegantly carved and scented sandalwood figurines, tables, boxes, caskets, stationary and even furniture have found devotees around the world. The Gudigar families of Shimoga, Uttara Kannada and Mysore specialize in this craft.

Channapatna Lacquerware

60 kilometers from Bengaluru is the small town of Channapatna, locally called as gombegala ooru (the town of toys). Every day, over 3000 local craftsmen produce colourful lacquerware including wooden toys, games, puzzles, jewellery, coasters, napkin rings, powder boxes etc. This vegetable-dyed lacquerware has also been awarded the geographical indication (GI) by the World Trade Organization.

The toys, which are lightweight yet tough, were originally made exclusively from ivory wood and coated with lacquer made from vegetable dyes. Traditionally, the colours used are a mix of vegetable dyes and food-grade pigments. The natural dyes include turmeric for yellow, indigo powder for blue, vermillion or kumkum powder for orange and red, and katha (acacia tree extract) for brown. The colours used for these toys specially for infants/ children are non-toxic and thus safe. For the 2015 Republic Day parade, the Karnataka tableau featured Channapatna handicrafts and won the third prize.

Navalgund Dhurrie

The origin of this craft, which also has the Geographical Indications (GI) tag, dates back to the 16th century where women belonging to the Muslim Sheikh community spun unusual patterns in bright yellow, red, blue and green. Navalgund is a place in Dharwad and is famous for peacocks. The colours and design of the peacock is incorporated as a part of the pattern in the jamkhana. Jamkhana in local language means floor mats which are widely used as floor coverings for decorations. Basically, it is a carpet made of twisted cotton yarn which are locally called durrie. These are placed on the floor during certain occasions like weddings, religious gatherings and other special occasions. Famous motifs include the dice game board and geometric designs.

Kasuti Embroidery

Kasuti, a form of embroidery practiced especially in Dharwad district, is known for its intricate and stunning workmanship and has the Geographical Indications (GI) tag. Four kinds of stitches are commonly used in Kasuti, a permutation and combination of which results in innumerable intricate designs. These are influenced by the architectural patterns of temples, and are symbolic of rituals and life around temples.

Gokak Toys

In Gokak, local artisans create bright and colorful wooden toys mainly in the form of fruits, vegetables, animals and birds. This craft is believed to be at least 200 years old. Here, the toys are made using a specialised soft variety of wood, usually hariwala, polki, and hale wood.

Rosewood Carving

The ancient craft of rosewood carving is known for its elaborate rosewood inlay work. The art has been practiced in Mysore for centuries and is said to have enjoyed the patronage of the Mysore Maharajas. Artisans meticulously even out the wood and prepare it for etching the designs. The heavy timber that rosewood is, it’s used extensively in furniture, cabinetry and architectural woodwork as well.

Bidriware

In the historical town of Bidar, under the rule of the Bahamani Sultans in the 14th century, a unique metal ware – the Bidriware, originated. On a blackened alloy of zinc, tin, lead and copper, inlaid with thin sheets of pure silver, craftsmen work their magical filigree. All the process of making the Bidriware starting from casting to oxidation is done by hand and therefore it is time consuming and hence costlier too. The hookahs, goblets, plates, pen holders, vases, even bangles with patterns of vines, delicate floral motifs are a vision to behold. Bidriware also has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag under the World Trade Organisation.

Silk Sarees

The shimmering silks of Karnataka still have an ardent following. Noted for the rich medley of colours and prints, fine gold threads weave exquisite patterns in the sarees. Mysore is the largest producer of silk in the State. Contributing to about 70% of the total mulberry silk produced in India, Mysore has rightfully earned the epithet, ‘Silk City of India’.

Metalware

Metalware is a rich and unique art of Karnataka. From casting to embossing, metalware was used for religious and household purposes. While Udupi is famous for its small images and ritual objects, Karkala is well-known for its Jain icons. Mangalore is home to domestic articles made of bell-metal and Nagamangala near Mysore is celebrated as a centre for bronze casting.

Chittara Drawings

Chittara is a dying art form, native to the Deewaru community who mainly inhabit districts of Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada in Karnataka. It’s mostly the women from the community who draw. Chittara was primarily used to adorn bare mud walls in the house. The painting brush is mainly a root fiber and traditionally only natural colours were used – like ground rice paste for white colour, roasted rice for black, yellow seeds (Gurige) etc. Chittara drawings have intricate geometric patterns that represent the auspicious ceremony and rituals of life.