Arts and Crafts of Madhya Pradesh

Table of content

• Gond Painting 
• Bhil Art
• Godna Tattooing
• Bagh Print
• Batik Print
• Nandana Print
• Chanderi Sari
• Maheshwari sari
• Zari Zardosi
• Dhurrie Weaving 
• Carpet Weaving 
• Batto Bai Dolls
• Jhabua Dolls
• Paper Mache
• Jewellery
• Stone Carving 
• Dhokra Craft
• Bell Craft 
• Basketry
• Terracotta

Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India, is one of the largest in the country, with major cities like Gwalior and Indore. Renowned for its wildlife, ancient architecture, temples, caves and carvings, it is also home to some of the oldest, most exuberant tribes. As the heart of India, this land holds immense power and prestige. This state is home to an array of awe-inspiring crafts. Let’s take a close look.

Gond Painting

A Serenade of Colors and Monochromatic Contrasts Gond Painting by Kailash Pradhan

Surreal and outworldly to behold, Gond Paintings are a vital ritual in the life of the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh. The tribe extends into Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The word Gond comes from the Dravidian expression “Kond”, which means “hill” or “mountain”. The Gonds are believed to be one of the earliest societies in India. While creating and recreating forms of nature, Gond people ensure that they integrate vibrant patterns, symbols and elements that mirror the deep connection to their environment, thereby offering homage to their surroundings. The almost hypnotic allure of Gond art- with its patterned leopards, richly coloured trees teeming with flowers, and mesmerising, swirling patterns- makes us pause and reimagine the world around us. Each Gond artist has their signature pattern that distinguishes their paintings. Its abstraction within concreteness, variance in recurring motifs, and the dance of endless designs enrich a deep-rooted narrative which is intertwined with the cultural roots of Madhya Pradesh.

Bhil Art

A turtle Bhil art by Shersingh Bhabor

The history of Bhil art is as ancient and enigmatic as the close-knit community of Bhil themselves. A quintessential example of the Bhil art painting would be the Pithora painting, a form of ritualistic wall art practised by the indigenous tribes of Rathwa, Nayak and Bhil. Apart from Pithora paintings, Gatlas and Kothi-relief works stand out as some of the better-known forms. Similar to Gond, some of the pertinent themes of Bhil's art form include native animals, birds, deities, the sun, the moon to name a few. Its abstraction within concreteness, variance in recurring motifs, and the dance of endless dots enrich a deep-rooted narrative which is intertwined with the cultural roots of Madhya Pradesh. These illustrated dots are remarkable not only for their aesthetic appeal, but are highly symbolic. Each set of dots represents Bhils’ reverence for their ancestors. It’s like a visual way of saying, “Never forget where you come from”, because our roots shape who we are. The shape of these specks is inspired by kernels of maize which is their staple food.

Godna tattooing

Tree of Life with The Fusion of Godna Style In Madhubani by Ambika Devi

Gondna art form is an essential form of Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage, which until the year 2000, was a part of Madhya Pradesh. The art form is still practised by the Baiga community of Central India, including some regions of Madhya Pradesh by Baiga women. The Baigas have long used Godna- with its antique and symmetrical designs- as a form of body art. They believe that tattoo marks are the only signs that would go beyond the grave with them. Godnas are applied on various stages of a woman’s life. The first is tattooed on the forehead at around 9 or 10 and the final one is marked on the chest after she delivers a child. These tattoos serve as a cartography of her life, marking her journey and thereby defining her identity. The community life, plants, animals, marriage, and Hindu Gods, are some of the cultural and spiritual elements around which the designs are created.

Bagh Print

Bagh Prints from Madhya Pradesh

Bagh Print of Madhya Pradesh owes its existence to the Khatri Muslim community of Madhya Pradesh. Floral prints, and geometric patterns, created using red and black dyes, which are organically extracted, are hallmarks of this celebrated printed printing style. Bagh Prints are the pride of the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. In 2008, Bagh prints received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. In the preparation process, silk and cotton clothes are treated in a traditional mixture of corrosion of iron, alum and alizarin. Then artisans skillfully stamp carved, wooden blocks by hand. The final product is washed in the flowing water and sun-dried.

Batik Print

Batik printing is a technique of wax resist dyeing

Japan, Egypt, Indonesia, and India are among those countries which have nurtured the art of Batik Printing for 2000 years. In India, Gujarat, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are the epicentres of this block printing method. Batik block printing is much known in the Ujjain city. The uncommon prints of Batik are formed through an interesting technique. In a traditional technique, the craftsmen masterfully create wax patterns on the fabric without drawing any framework or rough sketches. These spontaneously wax-drawn designs are left to dry. The fabric is then dipped in dye, after which the wax is removed by putting the fabric in hot water. This process is famously termed wax-resist dyeing and printing. Bark prints are widely incorporated into a wide range of textiles- including bedsheets, upholstery and dress materials.

Nandana Print

The 500-year-old craft of Nandana print originated in the villages of Umidpur and Tarapur district of Madhya Pradesh. Nandana print is treasured by the Bhil people of Madhya Pradesh. These prints are heavily influenced by nature. Nandana craftsmen regard their indigo dye as a symbol of good fortune. The name Nandana is derived from “Naand”, the pot used to prepare indigo dye. The artisans ensure that the motifs are elegantly arranged against dark-coloured blue, green or black backgrounds. Amba (mango), mirch (chilli), and Champa kali ( magnolia) are some of the cherished patterns and symbols incorporated in the print. You would never guess that there are 18 steps involved in printing and dyeing this craft.

Chanderi Sari

Ashok Nagar is famous for its exquisitely crafted, light-weight  Chanderi sarees. Silk and cotton are some of the major commercial crops of Madhya Pradesh, hence these sarees are either made out of silk or cotton. Their elegance comes from a beautiful interplay of dark and light colours, bright borders and incredible zari works. These regal sarees are also diaphanous, adding to their ethereal charm. The origin of Chanderi is believed to date back to the Vedic period and is said to have been founded by Shishupal, Lord Krishna’s cousin.

Maheshwari Sari

The Maheshwari sari traces its origin to its namesake town Maheshwar, a town in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. These saris have been in existence since the 5th century CE. The raw materials used in Maheshwari saree are mainly cotton, silk and zari. These vibrant sarees are made using a range of colours, such as pink, cream, red, green, mustard, and blue. The light and airy feel of the fabric can be attributed to the cotton yarn in the weft (baana) and silk in the warp (taana). This light-weighted saree features some delicate motifs like cotton flowers, swans, and chameli (jasmine). Another interesting feature of an authentic Maheshwari saree is its reversible zari border and pallu with five stripes.

Zari Zardozi

Zari, Zardozi Embroidery

In Bhopal, Zardozi or zari works can be traced back to 1878 when the artisans were provided with every amenity by the palace to work closely and intricately with items ranging from curtains, and canopies to clothes. Later, synthetic fabrics and artificial metallic yarns became prevalent, leading to a decrease in prices. Metallic threads, sequins, pearls and beads are meticulously woven in zardozi, adding a rich allure to the expensive fabric. Once the designs are traced on the fabric, three to four artisans sit on the adda with needles, threads, and other items and embroider the textile. Depending upon the intricacies, it may take a few days to a month to craft one design. Traditionally, the zardozi embroidery was done on premium fabrics like velvet, silk and brocades. Then synthetic fabrics and artificial metallic yarns became prevalent, leading to a decrease in prices. 

Dhurrie Weaving

Dhurrie Weaving

Dhurrie weaving is one of the most admired crafts in many states of India including Madhya Pradesh.  Dhurries are a type of floor covering and are essentially created by weaving thick cotton fabric. These flat woven rugs are more versatile than carpets. They are typically woven by hand using horizontal pit looms. Some of the major manufacturing hubs of dhurrie weaving in Madhya Pradesh are in Sironj, Jabalpur, Jhabua and Shahdol. In Punj dhurries, both cotton and wool are skillfully woven to suit the traditional as well as aesthetic needs.

Carpet Weaving

Mughal Carpets

The city of Gwalior is highly acclaimed for its carpet weaving since the Mughal period. Carpet weaving came to India through Persia. Patterns and complimenting palettes are essential components of these carpets. Diverse colours and floral and geometric designs come together to express ancestral motifs that reflect the rich heritage. In the past, the colouring was done using natural dyes, but currently, it is being done with synthetic dyes.

Batto Bai Dolls

 Indostatecraft.com

Also dearly known as Gudda-Gudiya, these charming dolls have traditionally been sold in pairs. The craft is named after Batto Bai, an enterprising woman of Gwalior. Her fourth generation continues to carry the legacy of crafting these interesting dolls. They are crafted by the women's community of Gwalior using sustainable, organic materials like clay, cotton, wires, bamboo and most importantly, bright traditional fabrics. The size of these brightly dressed dolls ranges from a few inches to almost 2 feet in height. Inarguably, the costumes and features of Batto Bai dolls stem from the traditional life of the region. These dolls are the manifestation of legends and anecdotes as well as the narratives of daily lives. 

Jhabua Dolls

Jhabua Dolls

The artistic hallmark of the Bhil community populated in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh is their handmade wooden dolls or the Jhabua dolls. These dolls are expertly crafted by the skilled artisans of the Jhabua community. The art of tribal doll-making, locally known as  Adivasi Gudiya Hastashilp, is one of the significant contributors to rural livelihoods in Jhubua. Frequently featured components include birds, animals, human figures, tribal heroes, gods, and folkloric figures, reflecting the spirit of tribal life. Jhabua dolls are eco-friendly as they are created from sustainable materials like saagwan which is teakwood.

Paper Mache

Paper Mache

Paper mache is a craft that involves the creation of artefacts such as dolls, animals, masks and decorative items from paper pulp and adhesive. It is a popular craft in the city of Ujjain. The basic process involved in creating paper mache items includes soaking paper scraps in water for a few days until they turn into a pulp. This pulp is then mixed with adhesive, moulded and shaped according to the requirements. Many local craftspeople of Bhopal, Ratlam, and Gwalior devote their time and expertise to making striking paper mache items and statues of birds, animals and decorative pieces.

Jewellery

Jewellery

Madhya Pradesh offers a plethora of jewellery types, each one is also distinctive in nature. Glass and lac bangles are worn by almost all the communities in Madhya Pradesh. One can easily come across jewellery made using metals like copper, brass, and ivory beads alongside natural, organic pieces like seeds, cowries, and berries. Gwalior is reputable for its glass bead ornaments which include necklaces, earrings, and so on. Additionally, there is a head ornament known as Benda and the jhanjars or anklets are made of silver cast. 

Stone Carving 

Whether it is the sculpting designs in the timeless stone temple of Khajuraho, the rock-cut temples of Vidisha or the making of domestic utility items such as silbattta (hand grinder), mortar and pestle, and chakla ( rolling pin), Madhya Pradesh has the long-standing tradition of artisanship that continues to marvel the visitors from different parts of the world. The Ghosipura area of Gwalior is home to several sculptures that are believed to be the descendants of Lord Vishwakarma. The varieties of stones are favoured by the artisans to sculpt deities and naikas.

Dhokra Craft 

Reindeers in Dhokra by Anil Baghmare

Dhokra craft is a widely practised art form of the Bharewas community in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. Apart from Madhya Pradesh, this handicraft is also popular in the states of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan, and Kerala. The distinctive inlay-designed domestic cattle, tribal folks, and deities are created by the lost-wax casting method. For the process of non-ferrous metal casting, discarded metal containers or scrap metal is used. The lost-wax process called dhokra was also practised in the Indus Valley civilization and the early civilization of Egypt. The Dancing Girl from the ruins of Mohenjo Daro is the prime example of the earliest dhokra craft. 

Bell Craft

Bell Craft

Tikamarg town of Madhya Pradesh is well-reputed for its bell-metal casting. The processes that are followed in the bell metal casting in this town are similar to the Dhokra art in Betul. However, in this case, moulds are created to shape the items instead of thin strings of wax. A mixture of industrial wax, groundnut oil, and a binding raisin is prepared to create moulds. Additionally, to customize their products, local craftsmen use indigenous tools to carve out designs. Animals, gods, lamps, and toys are some of the recurrent themes around which the skilled artisans dexterously craft their products. 

Basketry

Woven bamboo basket

The climate of Madhya Pradesh is well-suited for cultivating bamboo and cane crops. The Basor community crafts a range of bamboo products. Other communities that hold expertise in creating bamboo items include the Baiga, Gond, Turi, and Korku tribes. Conventionally, grasses, palms bamboo and canes were woven together in beautiful patterns to make baskets, hunting tools, and utility items. This craft has evolved to seamlessly integrate into the contemporary world through sustainable utility items, such as tables, chairs, and stools. Nankheda village in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its bamboo laths.

Terracotta

Bastar region, Jhabua, Mandla, Betul district, and Bundelkhand are some of the chief regions where tribal communities of Bhils, Bhilalas, Nayaks, and Manakas through their refined skills create stunning terracotta items. During Diwali, terracotta idols of Goddess Mahalakshmi, elephants, and horses are crafted by these communities. Terracotta heads of Gangaur, a local form of Parvati. Cylindrical figures of Gangaur idols are crafted and installed in the houses in the month of Chaitra. Terracotta animal toys like horses, elephants, dogs, birds, lions, deer, and wolves are extremely enjoyed by children. These toys come in smaller sizes, making it easy for the kids to play with them. Apart from these decorative handcrafted items, many utility products are diligently produced by the Indigenous artisans, Chhalki (curd vessel), Kuldi (water vessel), Bhutia (for storing toddy) to name a few.

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