Leather ware industry in the state of Rajasthan employs both men and women. The shoes and sandals are cut and stitched by the men who also undertake tanning of the leather, while the women take on the embroidery and decoration aspect of these. The decoration of the footwear is done with sequin, beads, golden and colored thread. Tilonia village near Ajmer is known for the graphic patterns made on the indigenous leather products.
The Jootis are the slip on sandals of the state which are tastefully decorated. They are durable and hardy footwear. Though the Jootis take a few days to comfortably fit, they are often snug footgear and preferred by most of the people who have tried them. Mojdis are footwear made of thicker, tanned leather and embellished with designs or embroidered with silken. They are soft and flexible sandals.
The Gesso Work of Rajasthan is world famous. Bikaner is the hub of Gesso work in the state and a fine sample of such treated camel leather decorations is displayed in the palace of the city. The camel-hide water casks of Bikaner, called Kopi, are probably the most commonly used gesso products.
Other products made of leather in Rajasthan are shoes and sandals, pouches, purses and handbags, hats and caps, belts, instruments used in folk music such as the dhol, dhapli, tabla and kamaycha, lamp and lampshades and even furniture such as stools and chairs.
Last Updated on 01 December 2011
