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Wood Craft in India

Wood Carving in India

Painstakingly carved and inlaid, the wooden articles of Uttar Pradesh are quite a rave with all lovers of wood carvings. Saharanpur here is known for its carvings in hard sheesham and particularly for its famous vine-Ieaf patterns. The range of designs include floral, geometric and figurative decoration, in addition to the traditional anguri and takai carvings, jali (fretted ornamentation), brass,copper and Ivory inlay work. Bone and plastic are now being used as low cost substitutes for Ivory since extracting of Ivory is banned in India. Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh is also known for its wood-work inlaid with brass wire on ebony or black sheesham. The states of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat,Karnataka and Kerala have developed distinctive styles of wood carvings. Even Rajasthan is noted for its carved sandalwood and rosewood besides heavy ornamental furniture.

Wood Lacquering

Lacquering on wood not only lends colour and sparkle to the products, but also smoothens out the contours thereby imparting a lustrous finesse.India is well known for ornamental lacquering involving intricate patterns like zig-zag and dana work, atishi, abri or cloud and nakkashi. In Varanasi, a number of lacquered toys and miniature kitchen utensils for children to play with, are made

Sculptures

The artistic woodcarvings of southern India draws inspiration from the old Indian tradition of worship. Apart from marvellous prototypes of various gods and goddesses, the wall plaques,statues and toys made of rosewood,sandalwood and teakwood are mesmerising to behold.

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Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Sikkim, West Bengal, Kamataka.