Walking through the bazars of Rajasthan is an amazing and mind-opening experience. Here colour dominates in all the products as much as it does in the fives of people. From textiles to metalware, furniture, jewellery and paintings....each article is painstakingly crafted and has an over powering appeal. So go ahead and shop to your heart's delight for the world's favorite......the handicrafts of Rajasthan.

JEWELLERY: Jaipur is a famous export centre for precious and semi-precious gemstones. Rajasthan excels in a wide range of  ornaments- using Emerald, Diamond, Pearls, Garnet, Agate, etc. made especially in Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Meenakari is the art of enamelling on gold or silver and is done in Jaipur using the raised-field style. Pratapgarh's Meena or 'Thewa' work in gold on a green or red enamel base is exquisite. Kundan is the art of setting precious stones in gold. Kundan jewellery is exclusive both in terms of design and workmanship. There is a large variety of bangles in Rajasthan.

METALWARE: The metalware of Rajasthan comprises of artistic, enamelled and engraved silverware & metalware. Popular creations in silver include wine cups, silver embossed decorative boxes, decorative human figures, cigaratte lighter cases and photo frames.

Jaipur is famous for  engraved brassware which is usually enamelled. Different decorative techniques used inclide embossing, marodi work an chikan work. In Koftagari or Damascening work, mostly practised in Alwar and Jaipur, one metal is encrusted into another in the form of a wire. Popular articles are swords, daggers and shields.

SANDALWOOD: Fragrant and aesthetic, sandalwood carvings come in awide range of themes. The articles range from key chains and paper knives to decorative figures.

FURNITURE: The furniture of rajasthan is in harmony with its palaces and havelis, displaying similar intricate design and carving. The painted furniture of Jodhpur & Kishangarh consists of screens, doors, traditional caskets, low tables and chairs. Delicately carved wooden doors are made in Ramgarh, Shekhawati and Bikaner. The craftsmen of Barmer specialize in the art of wood carving, and tables. Tilonia furniture stands out with its fine embroroidery work on leather while white metal plated patra furniture has a charm of its own.

TEXTILES: Rajasthani textiles come in an attractive range of hand-block prints, tie & dye, embroidered fabrics with mirror work. The art of Khari or over printing in gold is also practised here. The Bandhni or tie & dye work comes from Sikar, Jodhpur, Udaipur, etc. Light and painstakingly printed Kota Doria sarees are a range with women during the hot summer season. Handblock printed bedspreads in Ajrak prints come from Barmer, sarees, wraps & Kerchiefs from Nathdwara and embroidered textiles from Bikaner and Barmer.
 

PAINTINGS: The miniature paintings of Rajasthan are renowned the world over. Over a period of time several schools of painting developed in Rajasthan : the Mewar School, Bundi-Kota Kalam, Bikaner, Jaipur, Marwar and Kishangarh schools. It is believed that miniature paintings were being made in Rajasthan as early as the 18th century and later the Mughal court employed the artists.
Today, families engaged in miniature paintings exist in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Kishangarh and continue to paint fine works of art on handmade paper. The ancient tradition of scroll painting survives in Rajasthan as Phadas and Pichwais in bold vigorous lines and bright primary colours displaying much of the ancient Indian tradition of narrative painting. Today pichwais are being painted in Udaipur and Nathdwara. Phad paintings are available in smaller versions with incidents from lives of characters like Pabuji, the local hero.

CARPETS: Rajasthan's carpets are superb in workmanship and command sizeable export market. Exquisite carpets in traditional and contemporary designs, woollen druggets or 'Namdas' and hand-woven cotton durries also known as 'Panja' durries are the popular floor coverings.

TERRACOTTA: An array of terracotta articles are produced in Rajasthan: paper-thin Pottery, white and red clay articles and terracotta wall plaques. Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Alwar & Bikaner are the main centres.

BLUE POTTERY: The art of glazed blue pottery which came to India from Persia, flourishes in Jaipur even today. The best blue pottery pieces carry floral or geometrical patterns and sometimes the figures of animal.

MARBLE CARVINGS/PAINTINGS: Marble from Rajasthan has been used for construction of famous monuments like the Taj Mahal. Marble objects range from a decorative plates to boxes and animal figures. White marble is painted, sometimes with real gold. Even miniature paintings are done on marble. Jaipur is the main centre for exquisite marble objects.

LEATHERWARE: One of the most attractive items of leather is the 'Mojari', a footwear. The Leather is embroidered, punched, studded and stitched in various eye catching designs. The best known centres of traditional footwear are Jaipur and Jodhpur. Articles like lamps and lampshades are coloured and decorated with floral designs and figures and plated with thin gold leaf work.