The Art and Craft of Varanasi
Varanasi is well known for its art and craft since time immemorial. Here we find the master of Banaras saree handloom weavers, brass utensil makers, goldsmiths, terracotta, metalwork, Carpet weavers, Musical Instrument makers and wooden toy makers. These craftsmen have been recognized and appreciated by our honourable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi.
Glass beads
Glass bead-making can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. But over the years the art is getting lost. Varanasi is one of India’s leading Glass bead-producer and exporter. Different types of beads are used to make several products like clothing, decorative items, curtains, purses, clothing accessories, jewellery and such like. More than 2,000 artisans are involved in bead production and handicrafts in Varanasi, with most of them are in the areas of Chandpur, Kandwan and Ramnagar. Glass, the major raw material required, is getting expensive and scarce. Better training and technology are also needed tt scale up this growing industry since it has great potential. Major products include earrings, bracelets and neckpieces made out of multicoloured glass beads.
Banarasi silk
Banaras is one of the rich weaving craft centres of India, famous for Brocade saris and dress material. The Banarasi saree weaving is an intricate craft. Firstly the design is created on paper then traced on the fabric. These motifs and designs are known as also called as naksha patra. It takes a few weeks to several months to weave a Banarasi Saree. The motifs and designs on the sarees are traditional and unique. These sarees are very much liked by people for a wedding. In regular weaving, the thread passes over and under regularly. But when brocade designs in gold, silver silk or cotton threads are to be woven, special threads are transfixed in between depending upon the pattern. Famous Banarsi Sarees: Banarasi Silk Jamdani, Jangla Saree, Jamawar Tanchoi Saree, Tissu Saree, Cutwork Saree, Butidar Saree etc.
Carpet weaving
The art of carpet weaving was introduced by Mughals, but later it becomes an integral part of Varanasi and its neighbouring areas. Varanasi-Bhadohi-Mirzapur belt is well known for carpet weaving in the country. The carpets produced in this region are hand-tufted, Indo-Tibetan and low, medium and high Knotted Carpets which is famous for excellence in quality and design. Every carpet that is woven here has a distinctive and unmatched style. A majority of carpets exported from India come from Varanasi and its neighbouring areas. The carpets which are produced here are cheaper, stylish and fashion-oriented so it has a good demand in overseas countries.
Woodcraft
Woodcraft of Varanasi is very special and unique for its amazing detail carving of tiny mythological characters (Ravana, Ram, Krishna and many more), animals, birds, gods and goddess. They look so bright and fancy to display in a cabinet. The articles are painted with bright colours and to enhance it black strokes are made.
Meenakari
Meenakari is a form of art in which coating of bright colours are used in ornamenting the complex designed metal articles. Most of the jewellery artist working for Meenakari art because of its demand and beauty. The metal base is engraved enough for the bright colour enamels to set in place, later it is kept inside the furnace for fusing and hardening the Meena. Enamel colours are metal oxides mixed with a tint of finely powdered glass where the oxide content controls the shade obtained.