Madhya Pradesh, situated in Central India, witnesses more diversity than any other state in the country. It is an enchanting cosmos of landscaped beauty, heritage monuments, historical shrines and a vibrant culture. The most noteworthy of everything is the tribal heritage of the state. Home to different tribes and aborigines; the tribal matrix has begotten the inimitable handicrafts of the region. Infact, the art and craft prevalent in Madhya Pradesh makes it an exclusive museum that showcases the indigenous beauty of Indian handicrafts, and also presents the inventive adroitness of its people.
Whether it is showing skills through bamboo whittling, toy making or
textile weaving, the various regions in Madhya Pradesh specializes in
different handicrafts. These contrasting varieties of arts and crafts in
the state also reveal the hereditary skills of its people and are often
segregated based on the sexes. For e.g. durries are woven by women,
whereas strenuous jobs like iron craft falls in the male domain. In the
following lines, we have provided you a comprehensive account of the
various arts and crafts practiced by the people of Madhya Pradesh, which
magnifies the cultural wealth of the state.
Madhya Pradesh Arts & Crafts
Bamboo and Cane
Coppices of bamboo trees envelop Madhya Pradesh and are extensively
used by tribal people of the state, to give shape to various articles.
Utility and ornamental objects deftly whittled from bamboo and cane, by
people belonging to the Baiga, Gond, and Korku tribal communities of the
region, are very popular. They skillfully amalgam their traditional
knowledge and expertise of bamboo work with various contemporary
Traditional floor coverings of Madhya Pradesh include durries and
carpets. Durries are thick cotton fabrics knitted in a variety of
designs, with bold patterns. Geometric traditional motifs and human and
animal figures are incorporated into the patterns. Carpets, on the other
hand, are woolen floor coverings. In cities like Gwalior, carpet weaving
is a legacy of the erstwhile Mughal rulers. Colorful carpets in floral
and geometric designs are masterstrokes of the state's weavers.
The wall paintings of Bundelkhand, Gondwana, Nimar and Malwa constitute
a major chunk of the folk paintings of Madhya Pradesh. They are
considered creative outpourings that exhibit the rich tradition and
culture of the state. These paintings also reflect the various local
festivals celebrated in the state. Mandana wall and floor paintings,
Lipai paintings and Pithora paintings are splendid examples of folk
paintings of the region.
Iron crafting is a traditional skill that the craftsmen in the remote
villages of Madhya Pradesh have mastered formany generations. Iron ore
extracted from local mines are molded into desired shapes. People of
Gond, Muria, Dhruva and Bhatra communities practice this art form.
Beautifully carved iron 'Diyas' (lamps) are given to daughters as a part
of their bridal gifts. Today, iron craft of the state gets global
recognition and adorns many a contemporary homes.
The ingenious metal artisanship of the craftsmen of Madhya Pradesh is
legendary. Inventive designs are curved into metals and shaped into
boxes, figurines & ornamental statuettes. Considered auspicious,
these metal images speak volumes of the indigenous religious aspects of
the tribal culture of the people. The Gadhavs, Gonds, Murias, Bhatras
and the Dhruva are some of the tribal communities that practice this
The versatility of jute comes alive in the traditional handicrafts of
Madhya Pradesh. The rugged and unfinished texture of the fiber has its
unique charm. Moreover, its cheap and eco-friendly nature enhances its
creative potential, and makes it suitable for weaving items like lamps,
hammocks, floor coverings, wall coverings, baskets, bags and even
footwear. Bhopal, Raipur, Indore and Gwalior are major centers that
produce jute handicrafts in Madhya Pradesh.
One needs to see the variety and distinctiveness that the folk jewelry
of Madhya Pradesh displays, to believe it. From gold, silver, bronze to
alloys, the tribal people here make use of various metals to adorn
themselves. In addition, different ornaments made of beads, cowries and
feathers form a part of tribal costumes.
An ancient art form practiced in places like Ujjain, Gwalior, Bhopal
and Ratlam; the beauty of papier mache is demonstrated through ornate
items like birds, animals, statues and vases. Ujjain, being the major
center of this traditional art, makes use of natural colors to simulate
and create immaculate replicas of living birds. The Nagvanshi community,
which is known for making mud toys and dolls, is also known for their
deftness in papier mache.
The majesty and wealth of Indian stone carvings gets best expression in
the monuments of Madhya Pradesh. The temples of Vidisha and Khajuraho
and the monuments of Orchha and Gwalior are living examples of the
imaginative and individualistic architectural magnificence of artisans
here. Gwalior is renowned for latticework, while Jabalpur &
Tikamgarh are famous for decorative pieces.
Toys and Doll Making
Handmade rag dolls of colorful cloth pieces produced in Gwalior, Bhopal
and Jabua form a major handicraft of the state. These dolls are known as
'Batubai Dolls' and painted in vivacious colors to bring out their
exoticism in the global market. Apart from dolls, places like Gwalior,
Indore, Dewas and Bilaspur, also specialize in leather items like shoes,
jutties, garments, bags and mushk.
Invested with many religious connotations; tribal people earlier made
terracotta animals and used them as sacrificial offerings to various
deities. Generally, terracotta artifacts are available in a variety of
colors like red, pink, brown and grey. In some places, like Sarguja,
Raipur and Rajgarh, exquisite terracotta tiles adorn the roofs of
Brilliantly infused with the textiles of the neighboring states,
textiles in Madhya Pradesh unravel a heady collage. Nonetheless, the
distinctiveness of its own textiles remains skillfully intact. Various
forms of printing include Block printing, Nandana printing, Bagh
printing, Bandhani printing and Batik printing. Apart from excellence in
the field of printing, Madhya Pradesh is also very popular for its
delicate weaves, in the form of its rich variety of Chanderi and
The craftspersons of Malwa, Nimar, Bundelkhand, Sheopur-Kalan, and Rewa
make various decorative pieces and home accessories that simply invite
you to explore more about the state. Woodcraft items include toys,
boxes, bedposts, flower vases, wall hangings, candle stands and the
like. Embellished wooden ceilings, doors and window frames form popular
items of home décor.
Work A traditional craft of the state, zari work is a specialized form
of delicate embroidery done with metallic threads, and practiced in
places like Bhopal, Gwalior and Indore. Though the origin of zari work
date back to about 300 years, it still preserves its inherent and
exquisite charm. Earlier, used to embellish traditional items, zari work
today finds a niche in the contemporary market. Richly embroidered
purses, bags, cushions, jutties (shoes) & dresses are very popular.