Handmade in India: A Geographic Encyclopedia of India Handicrafts - Tapa dura

"...no better guide exists in revealing the astonishing diversity of Indian craftwork." -- The Christian Science Monitor, December 10, 2009 "...takes on the monumental task of examining the eye-popping variety of handcrafts made across India's vast landscape..." -- The Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2009

Handmade in India examines all aspects of Indian handicrafts--historical, social, and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products, and tools--unraveling a wealth of knowledge. Based on extensive fieldwork and research, this work maps out the regional crafts identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craftwork patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India, enabling the reader to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities. Some of these are well known, like the woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. The authors also describe lesser-known crafts like stitched boots from Ladakh, paintings from Jharkhand, and tinsel printing in Ahmedabad. With its extensive photography, this unique volume will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals, and connoisseurs alike.