The
Indian culture has enjoyed an international reputation
for the brass and bell metal work. The technology
of metalworking had been entrenched in the Indian
Culture by 2500 B.C. This technology then was manifested
in myriad exquisite and sturdy images and icons.
These
images and icons are still found in temples. They
are still being produced in household niches such
as lamps, platters and other items required for acts
of worship. The metals being used for these products
are mostly gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze, and
other mixed metals and alloys.
Infact
the world-famous dancing figure of Nataraja, which
is a strong element of the Indian Culture, is a work
in the Chola tradition. This piece of art epitomizes
the achievement of art in the Indian Culture.
In
fact an even more remarkable fact is that most of
the everyday household equipments that people in India
use are art objects. The simplest of equipments ranging
from the kitchen ladle, to the nutcracker, the water-pot,
are all perfect examples of the artistic bend in the
Indian Culture.
In fact even the simple water-pot takes on a myriad
forms and shapes. Some of them even have embossed
borders. Woodcraft has a variety of ranges, ranging
from select temple craftsmen to makers of
bullock-carts or statues.
The unassuming and fragile earthen pottery holds a
rich tradition in India. In a majority of the States,
the potter fashions clay into pots, jars, tumblers
and platters of myriad shapes, some of which are ornamental
and some of which are useful.
But in the time of the rains, the village potter's
wheel remains idle. Ivory is yet another special material
which has been used by the Indian craftsmen to produce
lace-like texture, fashioning delicate icons to combs,
necklaces to bedsteads.
The skills of the Indian craftsmen are such that they
can work pith to the same degree of perfection. In
fact the jewelry and trinkets in made in India till
date shows a great amount of continuity with the ancient
Indian Culture.
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