Uttar Pradesh is one of India’s richest states, with various things that contribute to its cultural richness. The traditions of Uttar Pradesh are really rich. For various years, this state has been a centre for art, culture and traditions. There are various sectors in Uttar Pradesh that are famous across India and worldwide, making a big impact on the cultural space of the world. There are various crafts that are happening around all parts of UP, making this state a hub of Indian handicraft excellence.
Chikankari of Lucknow
The elegant art style that celebrates Lucknow‘s royalty is Chikankari, which is one of the celebrated handicrafts of Uttar Pradesh. This art form is done elegantly using hand embroidery. This art form was started during the Mughal era and gained the bigger influence when it was under the patronage of Nawab rulers. Many craftsmen are using good-quality fine white thread, that is helping to create intricate floral patterns on muslin cotton or silk fabrics. This process uses different kinds of tactics, like using several stitches, like backstitch, chain stitch and hemstitch. Chikankari sarees, kurtas and dupattas are sold at really high prices due to their grace and craftsmanship that they present.
Banarasi Silk Weaving
The city of Varanasi, or Banaras, is known across the world for giving the world what you know as luxurious silk sarees. From the historical angle, we can see that this has a link to the royal families and rituals that happen in the temple. These sarees are made using the pure form of silk. And then that saree is decorated using gold and silver zari threads. The weaving for the saree takes a lot of time to make. The craftsman takes more than one day to complete. Banarasi silk is now recognized as a Geographical Indication product of India and continues to be a symbol of opulence and cultural pride.
Brassware of Moradabad
Moradabad is also known as the Brass City of India. This city is also famous across India for making metal crafts. The metal craftsmen of this city are famous across India for giving shape to the brass and at the same time making decorative and utility items like lamps, trays, vases and sculptures. We can find traces that this art started way back during the Mughal era, at a time when Persian artisans introduced the technique of fine metal engraving. The technique of Moradabad’s brassware is also famous for the durability it gives and the detailed engraving work it presents.
Wood Carving of Saharanpur
The region of Saharanpur, which is located in the region of western Uttar Pradesh, is also known for its intricate wood carving tradition, which is centuries long. This woodcraft has various designs like carved floral patterns, which also have various geometric designs and latticework on sheesham and mango wood. This craftsmanship that is being practised across Saharanpur’s woodwork has earned a global reputation across the world. The craft not only supports thousands of artisans but also contributes significantly to India’s handicraft exports.
Pottery of Khurja
The pottery style that developed in Uttar Pradesh, that is Khurja pottery, has a special place in the long history of Uttar Pradesh. Where this pottery style was developed is the town of Khurja, which is near Bulandshahr and is also known as the Ceramics Capital of India. This refined pottery style is made by using a different refined clay, and afterwards it is coated with various colourful glazes in shades of blue, green and brown. Over time, it has taken influence from various art styles that have developed over time, like having influence from Persia and other regions of India.
Glassware of Firozabad
The region of Firozabad in UP is famous for making glass and bangles. The craft of making glassware here has been going on since the Mughal era. The artisans working in this area produce various kinds of glass objects for royal households and various decorative objects. Firozabad is famous across the world for making different colourful glass bangles, which are worn by women across India. The glassmaking process involves melting sand, soda, and lime at high temperatures. After melting these objects, they shape the molten glass into desired forms.
Zardozi Embroidery of Bareilly
The royal embroidery technique that is being practised from the Mughal era across the region of Bareilly and Lucknow is known as Zardozi. The word Zardozi is lottery translated as gold embroidery according to the Persian word. There are various designs used, and those designs represent flowers, vines and birds. The artwork of Zardozi is used for decorating things like sarees, sherwanis, handbags and wall hangings. To develop this craft into a full, useful craft artist needs to have high skill and patience. The revival of Zardozi in modern fashion has provided artisans with new horizons in home markets and export markets.
Carpet Weaving of Bhadohi and Mirzapur
The two cities from UP, Bhadohi and Mirzapur, are famous across the world as the Carpet Belt of India. The carpet manufacturing in this region started in the 16th century when Persian artists started to visit India. It was happening during the Mughal time. Their patterns vary from typical Persian designs to contemporary geometric patterns. Each carpet takes months to finish, depending on its size and complexity. Bhadohi carpets are enjoyed everywhere due to their excellent quality and workmanship. These are being exported to Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, rendering this craft one of the leading items of India’s handicraft exports.
Terracotta and Clay Crafts of Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur is famous for its unique art of terracotta, which is as ornamental as religious. The artisans create animal, god and toy figurines from red clay that they source locally. The craft has roots steeped in culture and is most often associated with local festivals and ceremonies. The craft is minimalist and suggestive, characterized by subtle detailing and subtle surfaces. The natural materials used to create it make the craft eco-friendly. The Geographical Indication label has been granted to the Gorakhpur terracotta craft for preserving its unique identity. It remains a draw for art connoisseurs and collectors from all over the nation.
Stone Carving of Agra
The city of Agra is famous across the world for having the world-famous monument, the Taj Mahal. But Agra has many more craftsmanship wonders than the Taj Mahal. This city is also famous for developing exceptional stone inlay and carving work. The stone work in Agra is excellent. They are well known for creating marble pieces inlaid with semi-precious materials such as onyx and lapis lazuli. This art form, referred to as “Pietra Dura”, was first introduced during the Mughal era. The accuracy and harmony of the inlay craftsmanship are testaments to centuries of hereditary expertise. Agra’s stone carving craft is still a major tourist and art collector draw.
