Art and architecture of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh in India has not only rich deposits of green woods, abundant wildlife and monumental heritage but it too has created a niche for itself through the art and crafts of the region. The credit of course goes to the people and their age-old traditions that have been besieged upon them by their ancestors. Amidst the ebullient festivity prevails the contrast variety of handicrafts that add charisma and uniqueness to Madhya Pradesh. Be it the silk of the region or the bamboo work, be it folk paintings or stone artifacts, terra cotta or Zari work, the intricate cravings of the métier will evoke the desire to ascertain more about the land and its people.

Folk paintings - to decorate your house

Folk paintings of Madhya Pradesh are the representation of the times that date back to the pre historic times. The paintings done in this region basically annotate the religions of the state. One can find diversification in the paintings of the different areas. The wall paintings of Bundelkhand, Gondwana, Malwa and Nimar are a blend of the social and cultural ambiance as well as the outpourings of religious devotions. The paintings in Bundelkhand are made by professional painters called Chiteras. Mud base is used to make these abstractions and the painter uses his finger to etch the paintings. This process is called the ‘Lipai’ in which the Rajwari women are a connoisseur. Pithora paintings are endemic to the Bhils and Bhilala tribes. The paintings basically cater to the object of daily life in bright multi coloured hues. Mandana wall and floor paintings are existent in the Malwa, Nimar and Tanwarghar regions of Madhya Pradesh. Red clay and cow dung is used as a base to make the embossed drawings. The motifs of the design include the pictures of peacocks, cats, lions and swastik.

Bamboo and Cane Canopy

The rural life of the people is very well resonated in their art and crafts that involve the age-old knowledge to amalgamate with the new techniques. Bamboo is abundantly produced in the regions of Shahdol, Balaghat,

Mandla and Seoni, are used to produce a wide range of products such as fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets. Some of the tribes that are highly skilled in this job are the Gond, Baiga and Korku communities.

Metal and Iron craft

The metal and iron craft stands sui generis from all the other areas of the country. The skill required in producing them, is so very embedded in the hands and the minds of the artisans that they seem to add life in these artefacts. Metal craft which is also known as Dhokra work are hollow cast and are produced by lost-wax process. The Gond, Muria, Bhatra and Dhruva tribals are articulate in the production of these and only a few tools are required to make beautiful castings.

Some of the products include crafted oil lamps, rice measure bowls and animal figurines. The Iron craft is predominantly an antediluvian practice that was passed on from one generation to the other. There are some tribes such as the Gond, Muria, Bhatra, Dhruva that offer crafted diyas, on the marriage of their daughter.They also produce tribal statues that have gained immense momentum among the masses as a decoration for their houses.

For the Floor and walls - Carpets and Dhurries Jammu and Kashmir might be the most celebrated state for the production of carpets, but Madhya Pradesh too has stood itself apart and apparently distinguished in this craftsmanship. The artisans here are excellent dyers beside being immaculate weavers.

This art was developed by the Mughals and Gwalior emerged as the centre of this craft. Though synthetic colours are now in much use against the natural dyes, however, the woollen carpets that are available in floral and geometric designs are a must buy.

Dhurries form an essential part of the accessories that are used in the houses across the state. These flat woven carpets are made from thick cotton woven fabric and the women folk are the adroit manufacturers of these Dhurries. Available in varieties of colours and motifs of animals and flowers and even human beings, they are produced exclusively in rural homes of Sironj, Jhabua, Raigarh and Jabalpur.

Ornaments and jewellery - for that tribal look

The tribal population of Madhya Pradesh are a huge fan of the ornaments and jewellery.

A lot of beads, metalic droplets, cotton threads and specially feathers and cowries are used to make the traditional ornaments of the Adivasis (tribal). Silver ornaments also occupy a considerable place.

Tikamgarh, Jhabua and Sheopur-Kalan are the hubs for this art. These ornaments are as popular among the men as they are with the women. Malwa, Nimar and Bastar are regions where these ornaments are devoured by the women folk.

Stone carvings and pottery - poetry of fingers

The art of stone carving is perhaps the best in the world. Stone carvers had colonised this land since pre-historic ages. Passed on from generations as a family lore each region has their own peculiar style.

The monuments and the temples standing in the region are evident of this fact. While Gwalior specialises in Jalli (Lattice) work, Jabalpur and Tikamgarh are renowned for statues of animals and human figures. If you look at a potter while performing this art, it will seem as if a musician is writing poetry with his fingers. Known as Terracotta the articles produced range form a variety of colours and the most common designs are of animal figures and life size images of human forms.

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