ART AND CRAFT MAP OF UTTAR PRADESH

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By SMRITI SAHU

  • India
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    Uttar Pradesh is the fourth largest state in India and a treasure trove of artistic and cultural brilliance. Its history is rooted in royal patronage, spiritual traditions, and vibrant folk culture. The state has been attracting visitors for its ancient temples, marvellous Mughal architecture, delectable cuisine, and a rich blend of diverse cultures. Delving into the arts and crafts of Uttar Pradesh reveals a panorama of artistic legacy and history. 

    Cave Paintings of Sonbhadra and Chitrakoot

    Cave paintings of Sonbhadra and Chitrakoot. Source: Incredible India

     

    The cave paintings of Sonabhadra and Chitrakoot are among the few remaining prehistoric artworks that travellers from across the world can still witness today. Nestled in the southeastern part of the Vindhya Range, Sonabhadra serves as a living museum of ancient monuments, forts, and architectural marvels. The cave paintings capture various communal activities—singing, dancing, festivals, and hunting. These artworks stand as a visual diary, celebrating life and offering a glimpse into the bygone era of human history.

    Jain Paintings

    Devananda’s 14 auspicious dreams telling the birth of Mahavira Source: Metmuseum.org

     

    Due to their teachings and doctrines, Jain manuscripts have greatly influenced many parts of India. Jain philosophy is built on three main principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantvada (non-absolutism), and Aparigraha (non-attachment). The oldest Jain manuscripts originating from regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, are abundant with paintings intertwined with many hidden symbols. One of the earliest examples is the Kalpasutra, dating from the 15th to 18th centuries, which illustrates the life of Mahavira.

    Braj Paintings

    The Rajput paintings were an integral part of many princely states in what is now Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The beauty of these paintings lies in their vibrant and striking depiction of chivalry, romance and grandeur of Rajputana culture, a tradition renowned for its strong sense of loyalty and honour. The themes of chivalric romance, celebrations, and warfare are rendered intricately, showcasing the richness of Rajputana life.

    Braj paintings are a subset of Rajput paintings. These paintings particularly concentrated on portraying the softer, more poetic side. These paintings beautifully depict themes of unconditional love, devotion and spiritualism with unmatched intricacies. The illustrations often revolve around episodes from Bhagavad Purana, featuring Krishna and his cowherd friends, and the gopis, all set against an idyllic backdrop rich in flora and fauna. These paintings feature well-patterned figures, graceful bodies and an infusion of natural and cultural elements, contributing to their overall beauty.

    Sanjhi art

    Twilight Serenity: Ashutosh Verma's Sanjhi Art

     

    The delicate art of Sanjhi is thought to have originated in the 15th century in Vrindavan, the sacred land associated with the childhood of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to tradition, Goddess Radha created this art form using striking colours to impress her beloved Krishna. Sanjhi art employs various mediums, including cow dung, colours and paper stencils. Primarily produced in Mathura, stencil Sanjhi features motifs that celebrate Krishna’s early years of playfulness, his carefree youth, the timeless Raas-Lila shared with Radha and Gopis, and the picturesque landscape of the bygone era. Artists meticulously create sharp drawings on paper or banana leaves. With immense skill and patience, these drawings are carefully cut to unveil exquisite artistry. Another variant is the Jal Sanjhi, where the Sanjhi paper is used to create a beautiful piece of art using powdered colours on water.

    Chowk Purana

    Chowk Purana. Source: Adobe.com

     

    The traditional folk art of Chowk Purana is widely practised in the Northern states of India, like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,  Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The term Chowk Purana combines two words: Chowk meaning “square space”, and Purana, meaning “the act of filling”. This art form is believed to be over a thousand years old and involves decorating floors and walls of the houses, with rice flour paste and sometimes with colours during festivals such as Diwali or Holi. The art of Chowk Purana is very similar to the Kolum art practised in many southern states of India. 

    In rural households, the floors are cleaned with a cow dung mixture and left to dry. The process of applying cow dung is known as Lipna. Then the women of the houses create motifs and age-old designs using rice paste. This paste is made by soaking and grinding rice in water on the day of painting.

    Chikankari

    Court  Ladies playing chess, 1790-1800, Oudh, attributed to the painter Nevasi Lal, Guimet Museum – NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ARTS, PUBLIC DOMAIN Source: Theheritagelab.in 

     

    The word Chikan is derived from the Persian term Chikin, meaning intricate embroidery on fabric. Traditionally crafted in shades of white, Chikankari personifies delicate artistry, subtle design arrangements, and a quiet sense of opulence. As for the arrival of Chikankari in the Indian subcontinent, there are multiple theories and conjunctures. One account traces the mention of white embroidery on muslin fabric to Magasthenes’ writing in the court of Chandragupta Maurya in the 3rd century B.C.E. Another narrative suggests that Chikakari originated as a more affordable alternative to Bengal’s Jamdani weave. Yet another belief is that the craft was introduced by Nur Jahan in the Mughal court in the 17th century and was patronised by Jahangir through numerous workshops. A variety of stitching techniques are incorporated in created dreamy embroideries. The flat stitches include frameworks like Khatao, Tepchi, Gitti, Bakhia and Jamjira, while the embossed grainy stitches feature Murri and Phanda. This prestigious craft is largely practised in Lucknow and was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2008.    

    Zari Zardozi

    Ganapati in Zardozi by Md. Bilal

     

    As an ornate and intricate craft, zari zardozi was patronised by affluent kings and multiple noble families. Zari is a Persian word for “gold”. This craft was introduced in India from Central Asia in the 12th century. Varanasi, one of the oldest cities of India has been known for its exquisite zari works. In earlier times, skilled zari artisans meticulously adorned the fabrics with actual gold and silver bullion threads and precious gems and pearls, lending an unmatched charm to the creation. In traditional weaving, the fabric to be embroidered is fixed on a wooden bed frame called adda. An embroidery is traced out using a thin sheet. The stencil is placed on the fabric, and fine holes are made. Using needles and a hook-tipped awl called ari, endless sequins, and beads are threaded through the fabric, creating splendid motifs. 

    Varanasi Brocade

    Brocade. Source: Sahapedia.org

     

    Infused with Mughal floral motifs, Varanasi brocade sarees are an embodiment of beauty and royalty.    Crafted from finely woven silk, they often feature intricate zari work, with some showcasing exquisite gold detailing. These sarees display compact weaving techniques and complex patterns, at times creating visual effects such as jali (net-like pattern), and meenakari, along with motifs like jala, pagia, and naka. A detailed rendering of geometric designs, birds, animals, and Persian and Nagari scripts mirrors both cultural significance and massive artistry. Notable varieties of sarees include Jangla, Tanchoi, Vaskat, Cutwork, Tissue and Butidar. As time and consumer preferences have evolved, the traditional weavers and the new industries are also adapting their designs and patterns to meet changing tastes. A lot of complex techniques and the right skills go into the creation of brocade. 

    Carpet Weaving

     Carpet weaver. Source: Hindustan Times 

     

    Uttar Pradesh is popularly known as ‘Carpet City’, owing to its numerous carpet hubs and handloom industries dedicated to producing floor coverings, dhurries, and kilims (flat, woven carpet). Mirzapur-Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh is a major hub for weaving various floor coverings. Early designs had a strong Persian influence, but over time, the versatility of the weavers and a wide variety of techniques, styles and designs are seen today. The traditional process involves multiple steps and various equipment and methods are employed to execute the process. This includes conceptualising designs, detangling and dyeing yarn, readying spools of warp and more. 

    Glasswares

    Glassware. Source: Indiainch.org  

     

    Varanasi, Saharanpur and especially Firozabad are renowned for myriad kinds of glass-oriented handicrafts. During ancient times, rejected glasswares were accumulated by the locals and melted in the local furnaces to transform them into a whole new product. Since Firozabad is considered the major glass industry centre, there is an extensive level of manufacturing of plain as well as coloured glass pieces. These include attractive containers and bottles for perfumes and cosmetics, chandeliers, mesmerising glass bangles, and dinner sets. 

    Stone Craft

    Translucent Tile in Marble Inlay by Fammo Khan

     

    The pristine white-marbled Taj Mahal in Agra, the ornate architecture of Fatehpur Sikri, the glorious Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan and the recent Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya represent just a few of the marvellous architecture that awaits travellers and seekers alike. Each site radiates a serene aura, inviting visitors to bask in their beauty. The elaborate carvings, exquisite detailing, and grandeur of these sacred spaces are truly breathtaking, leaving a lasting impression on all who witness them. There are still a few wonderful artists in Agra showcasing their finesse in creating intricate marble inlays with precision.

    Brasswares

    Moradabad Metal Craft. Source: Kaleidoscope.in

     

    Uttar Pradesh is the largest production centre for brass and copper products in India. Etawah, Banaras, and Sitapur, are some of the cities in Uttar Pradesh still relevant for their metal artefacts and engravings. Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is coloured enamelling, metal engravings. Similarly, Varanasi is known for crafting cast sculptures of deities and household utensils using copper and brass. A diverse array of brassware including domestic items would feature idols of Gods and Goddesses, stools, trays, vases, and many decorative pieces. There are two types of metal engraving on this brassware- one is Nakashi done on the tinned surfaces and the second category is Khudai which is done on unpolished brass surfaces coated with lac.

    Attars (Perfume)

    Kannauj Attar. Source: timesofindia.com 

     

    Perfumery or the attar-making method that is practised in Kannauj is highly different from the modern art of perfumery. Made organically, using all the natural resources like flowers, musks, camphor, saffron, and sandalwood, most attars are free of alcohol and many unwanted chemicals. Additionally, these attars or ittars are long-lasting fragrances. The majority of the residents in Kannauj are engaged in the art and business of perfumery. Countries like the UK, the USA, Saudi Arabia, France and Iran are some of the importers of these aromatic attars. Among some of the most delectable scents, mitti attar (the essence of rain-soaked earth) and rose attar are among the most sought-after. During the colonial era, these attars found their way to British markets as well. The perfumers rely on the old technique of deg-bhapka, a sort of hydro-distillation process which involves cooking raw ingredients in large clay pots, using the right amount of water and heat for an extended period to acquire the aroma. In 2014, this ancient and incredible attar-making process received a GI tag.

    Terracotta

    Terracotta from Uttar Pradesh. Source: theippress.com 

     

    Like many states of India, the terracotta works of Uttar Pradesh have a profound connection to the region’s ancient traditions and enduring simplicity, reflecting the essence of its cultural heritage. Villages of Gorakhpur district are well-known for their clay figurines and clay sculptures. The best example is their magnificent idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga which are prepared by hand and are always on demand. Skillfully sculpted terracotta horses, toys and utilitarian products like vessels are also a major attraction for children and tourists alike. The items are crafted out of locally available soil.

    Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of the Arts and Crafts of Uttar Pradesh, and we will continue to incorporate more art forms as we come across them. Please contact us at misha@memeraki.com to suggest any additions. 

    References:

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