ARTS & CRAFTS: Bengal is known all over the world for its expertise in art and craft. The skill in architectural splendors, excellent works on woodwork, terracotta, pats, paintings, textile run unparallelled. Example: Dokra work- Dokra structure of metal casting is said to be oldest form of metal casting and is precisely known as ‘cire perdue’ or lost wax procedure. Jute work-‘Golden fibre’ has been woven and entwined and braided by women in Bengal.Bengal is the chief manufacturer of jute products. Sholapith or Shola Pith (also referred to as shola and Indian cork) is a dried milky-white spongy plant matter which can be pressed and shaped into delicate and beautiful objects of art. Chal chitra- Chalchitra or Devichal is the painted background of an Idol, especially used with Durga. Chalchitra is a metamorphosed form of halo found in the Indian sculptures of ancient period. Chou Masks- Masks formed an integral part of all the ethnic tribes of ancient civilizations. Cures to illness and pains were relied on witchcraft and the magic cult. Bankura Horses: The logo of All India Handicrafts is the Bankura Horse. These horses display the skill and craftsmanship of Bengal.A pair of terracotta horses in a corner of a room adds class to any Bengali living room. These horses are not just decorative artifacts, but they also display the skill and craftsmanship of Bengal. Tracing back to the history of the terracotta sculptures, we land up in the land of red earth, the district of Bankura in West Bengal.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:15:05 +0000