India is a vibrant and culturally rich country known for its traditional arts and handicrafts. These traditional artworks offer a vivid insight into the history, culture, and regional identity of every part of the country. Traditional crafts of India that form the basis of Indian culture has gained worldwide recognition for its craftsmanship, symbolism, and historical significance. From textiles and folk paintings to metalwork and wood carving, we have compiled a list of Indian handicrafts from every corner of the country. This state-wise guide presents some of the most important traditional crafts of India, practiced across different regions for centuries.
Table of Contents
State-Wise Description Of Famous Traditional Crafts Of India
Below is a state-wise list of the famous Indian handicrafts that has been practiced for hundreds of years now.
1. Kondapalli Dolls
Origin: Kondapalli village, Andhra Pradesh
Known For: Hand-carved wooden toys made from tella poniki wood, natural and enamel dyes
Practiced Since: Over 400 years
Kondapalli Dolls is an ancient art form that makes toys from soft wood known as tella poniki. Each part is carved separately and then the pieces are joined together with makku, a paste of tamarind seed powder and sawdust. Later after drying, details are added and the toys are colored. These toys are showcased every year at the celebration of Sankranthi (Bommala Koluvu).
Other Popular Crafts Of Andhra Pradesh: Kalamkari Art (Srikalahasti style and Machilipatnam style), Crochet Lace, Bidri.
2. Bamboo And Cane Craft
Origin: Arunachal Pradesh
Known For: Tribal weaving styles, bamboo baskets, utility and decorative items
Practiced Since: Ancient tribal traditions
Cane craft is highly diverse as each tribe has its own weaving style and design. Every tribe excels in their craftsmanship, and the shapes of the items made out of bamboo and cane are distinctive in every region.
Other Popular Crafts Of Arunachal Pradesh: Thangka Painting, Handwoven Carpets, Wood Carving, Ornamental Art.
3. Weaving And Embroidery
Origin: Assam
Known For: Muga, pat, eri silk textiles, mekhela chadar, gamocha
Practiced Since: Ancient times
Considered to be one of the main cottage industries of Assam, weaving and embroidery have brought the fabrics of Assam into the international domain. The designs of these traditional crafts in Assam are symbolic of the different tribes and ethnic groups of the area.
Other Popular Crafts Of Assam: Sitalpati, Pottery, Jewelry, Woodcrafts, Brass metal works, Handlooms.
4. Madhubani Painting
Origin: Bihar
Known For: Natural dyes, geometric patterns, mythological themes
Practiced Since: Over 2500 years
This folk art of Bihar, also known as Mithila art is one of the oldest and most famous Indian art forms. These famous traditional Indian crafts are usually painted with fingers, twigs or matchsticks (now pen nibs) and often have geometric patterns and bright colors.
Other Popular Crafts Of Bihar: Tikuli art, Sikki art, Manjusha Art, Stonecraft, Patna Kalam.
5. Traditional Wall Paintings
Origin: Chhattisgarh
Known For: Tribal ritual scenes painted on walls and floors
Practiced Since: Traditional tribal era
The traditional wall paintings in Chattisgarh depict pictures of traditional tribal rituals. Most of the wall paintings in Chattisgarh are related to the celebrations of their customary ceremonies. The walls and floors are painted with vibrant colors making them rural forms of art.
Other Popular Crafts Of Chhattisgarh: Bastar Iron Craft, Dhokra, Cowrie Craft, Tumba.
6. Lavo Mandri Weaving
Origin: Goa
Known For: Mats woven from wild lavo grass
Practiced Since: Traditional Goan folk period
This art form indigenous to Goa is a traditional art of weaving mandri (mat in Konkani). Although not a thriving art, it uses lavo, a type of wild grass grown in the marshy land of fields to make these mats.
Other Popular Crafts Of Goa: woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, Papier-Mache, wooden lacquer ware.
7. Zari Work
Origin: Surat, Gujarat
Known For: Gold and silver thread embroidery on silk fabrics
Practiced Since: Mughal era
This art is considered one of the most famous and elaborate techniques in metal embroidery. It is also one of the oldest and most popular traditional Indian handicrafts. The zari work of Surat is one of the biggest zari manufacturing centres in India.
Other Popular Crafts Of Surat: wood crafts, pottery, tribal art.
8. Phulkari Embroidery
Origin: Haryana
Known For: Bright geometric floral embroidery on shawls and dupattas
Practiced Since: 15th Century
Phulkari is generally handmade by the female members of a house and takes a long time to make, sometimes even a few years. It contains magnificent colors and intricate embroidery, almost always following a geometric pattern.
Other Popular Crafts Of Haryana: Pottery, Bagh, Chope, Durries.
9. Wool Weaving
Origin: Himachal Pradesh
Known For: Kullu and Chamba shawls, pit loom weaving
Practiced Since: 5000 years
Due to the low temperatures in Himachal, nearly every household in Himachal owns a pit loom, a type of loom that fits inside a pit. Each region has its typical style. For example, the Kullu region is famous for its shawls that contain striking patterns and vibrant colors, while in the Chamba district, weaves assume a checkered pattern.
Other Popular Crafts Of Himachal: carpets, leather works, metalware, woodwork, paintings.
10. Pashmina Shawls
Origin: Jammu and Kashmir
Known For: Fine wool, intricate weaving patterns
Practiced Since: Over 700 years
The world-famous pashmina shawls from Jammu and Kashmir are made from raw unspun wool of domesticated changthangi goats. Usually, it is woven in three patterns, twill or sade bunai, the popular diamond or chashm-e-bulbul, and the special herringbone style or gada kond. Pashmina shawls are counted as one of the most famous arts & crafts of India.
Other Popular Crafts Of Jammu & Kashmir: Carpets, Wood Carving, Papier Machie, Crewel, Basohli Painting.
11. Wood Craft
Origin: Jharkhand
Known For: Utility and decorative wooden household items
Practiced Since: Indigenous tribal era
All thanks to surrounding dense forests, woodcraft has become one of the most thriving industries of Jharkhand. This wood is used by artisans to create different products that are used in everyday life and also for decoration, such as windows, door panels, boxes, wooden spoons and so on.
Other Popular Crafts Of Jharkhand: Pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments, stone carving.
12. Bidriware
Origin: Bidar, Karnataka
Known For: Silver inlay work on blackened metal alloy
Practiced Since: 14th century CE
Also known as Bidri art, this traditional Indian handicraft is unique due to its striking inlay artwork. The metal used for bidriware is an alloy of zinc and copper that is blackened and then encased with thin sheets of pure silver. This craft from Karnataka is one of the most popular Indian handicrafts.
Other Popular Crafts Of Karnataka: Sandalwood carvings, Channapatna lacquer ware & toys, Mysore traditional paintings, Navalgund durries.
13. Coconut Shell Handicrafts
Origin: Kerala
Known For: Eco-friendly carving
Practiced Since: Over 500 years
This beautiful eco-friendly handicraft of Kerala requires aesthetics and expertise as it is very difficult to carve out exquisite patterns on a tough exterior. Kerala artisans are good at carving out gorgeous collectables such as sugar containers, boxes in different shapes and sizes, and showpieces embellished with brass edges. This is one of the best traditional arts and crafts of India.
Other Popular Crafts Of Kerala: sandalwood carvings, Netturpetti (a nine-sided wooden chest), coir products.
14. Durries Weaving
Origin: Madhya Pradesh
Known For: Thick cotton carpets with folk and geometric motifs
Practiced Since: 5th century BCE
Durries of Madhya Pradesh are woven by a technique called punja and come in vibrant colors, bold patterns, and folk designs including birds and animal motifs and geometric weaves. These thick cotton carpets are among the best Indian handicrafts.
Other Popular Crafts Of Madhya Pradesh: Gond painting, Stone carving, Iron craft, Terracotta.
15. Warli Paintings
Origin: Maharashtra
Known For: geometric figures depicting tribal life
Practiced Since: Ancient tribal period
This tribal art from Maharashtra is among the finest examples of folk paintings in India. The Warli paintings are traditionally painted inside the walls of village huts using a set of basic geometric shapes like circles, triangles, and squares. Artists use white paint made by mixing rice white powder with water.
Other Popular Crafts Of Maharashtra: Kolhapuri chappals, Bidriware, Paithani, Peshwai jewellery, Dhurrie weaving.
16. Wood Carving
Origin: Manipur
Known For: Traditional motifs carved on wang and heijuga wood
Practiced Since: Indigenous Manipuri culture
Trees are cut when they are mature, and then the logs are seasoned properly to preserve the natural color of the wood. The traditional motifs of Manipuri culture are carved by expert artisans.
Other Popular Crafts Of Manipur: Textile weaving, stone carving, block printing, hand-embroidery.
17. Handloom Weaving
Origin: Meghalaya
Known For: Muga, eri (ryndia), and mulberry silk textiles
Practiced Since: Ancient tribal era
This art is an ancient craft of the tribals of Meghalaya and under the exclusive monopoly of women. The various tribes of Meghalaya weave amazing handicrafts, and most importantly this industry is a cottage-based eco-friendly industry.
Other Popular Crafts Of Meghalaya: bamboo & cane craft
18. Cane And Bamboo Weaving
Origin: Mizoram
Known For: Bamboo baskets, hats, utensils, and decorative items
Practiced Since: 2nd Century AD
The traditional art of the Mizo tribes is to create several varieties of bamboo and cane products that are both utilitarian and decorative. The Mizo men are experts at cane and bamboo work. The final product made of stout cane are very strong and durable.
Other Popular Crafts Of Mizoram: Hnika Fabric, Puandum Handloom.
19. Traditional Weaving
Origin: Nagaland
Known For: Tribal shawls, mekhala, symbolic patterns
Practiced Since: Ancestral tribal period
An integral part of the arts and crafts of Nagaland, weaving is primarily done by females. The traditional style of the state is reflected in the rich artistic skills and creative imagination of the local craftsmen who have inherited the art from their ancestors.
Other Popular Crafts Of Nagaland: Wood-Carving, Blacksmithy, Ornaments
20. Pattachitra
Origin: Odisha
Known For: Intricate mythological storytelling on cloth canvas
Practiced Since: 5th century BCE
Another tribal folk art of India, pattachitra in Odisha was created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, and other temples in Odisha. It is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of the state. Derived from the Sanskrit words patta, meaning canvas, and chitra, meaning picture, pattachitra is famous for its intricate details as well as mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.
Other Popular Crafts Of Odisha: Sand Art, Palm leaf painting, Horn work, Applique work.
21. Chowk-Poorana
Origin: Punjab
Known For: Decorative mud wall
Practiced Since: Ancient rural customs
This ancient practice in Punjab is about plastering the walls of the house with mud and creating different shapes, figures, patterns and designs on the wet mud before it dries. It is usually performed by the rural women of Punjab on festive occasions like Dushera, Karva Chauth, Holi, Diwali etc.
Other Popular Crafts Of Punjab: Phulkari Embroidery, Leatherwork, Basketry.
22. Blue Pottery
Origin: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Known For: Cobalt blue glazed ceramic ware and tiles
Practiced Since: Mughal period
Jaipur’s blue pottery originally came from Persia, but today is widely recognized as a traditional craft of Jaipur. The base for blue pottery is a mix of quartz, powdered glass, stone powder, borax, multani mitti, gum and water. However, the name comes from the cobalt blue dye used to color the pottery.
Other Popular Crafts Of Jaipur: Wooden furniture, Lac bangles, Marbles, Puppets.
23. Lepcha Weaving
Origin: Sikkim
Known For: Backstrap loom weaving, traditional Lepcha textiles
Practiced Since: Ancient Lepcha tribe era
The state’s traditional lepcha weave is synonymous with handloom weaving in Sikkim. This kind of weave goes back to ancient times when the Lepcha tribe were said to use yarn spun from stinging nettle (sisnu) plants to weave their clothes. Locally known as thara, lepcha weaves are woven in vertical looms with a backstrap, thus resulting in a shorter fabric width.
Other Popular Crafts Of Sikkim: Thanka painting, wooden mask making, bamboo and cane craft.
24. Korai Silk Mats
Origin: Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu
Known For: Fine grass mats woven with silk thread
Practiced Since: 100 years ago
Kori Silk mats, also called as pattu paai are mats crafted out of korai grass (reeds). The use of silk thread gives a sheen to the mat. They are specifically crafted for wedding ceremonies and have the bride and groom names as well as the wedding date woven into them.
Other Popular Crafts Of Tamil Nadu: Tanjore paintings, Handloom Sarees, Bronze ornaments and statues.
25. Pembarti Sheet Metal Work
Origin: Pembarthi village, Telangana
Known For: Engraved metal panels and temple ornaments
Practiced Since: 12th-century Kakatiya period
Metalworkers or the vishwakarmas perfected the art of sheet metal engravings, and today, it is one of the most popular traditional Indian handicrafts. It can be seen adorning the vigrahas (statues) as well as carvings of chariots in several Hindu temples.
Other Popular Crafts Of Telangana: Bronze Castings, Kondapalli toys, Cheriyal scroll paintings.
26. Cane And Bamboo Craft
Origin: Tripura
Known For: Cane furniture, mats, wall panels, interior decor
Practiced Since: mid-20th century
This is one of the main crafts of Tripura and is known for their beautiful weaves and attractive designs. The weaves are practiced by different tribes of Tripura. Some of the well-known produced from this craft include table mats, floor mats, room dividers, decorated wall panels, attractive furniture etc.
Other Popular Crafts Of Tripura: Handloom, silver jewellery, floor mats.
27. Wood Carving
Origin: Uttarakhand
Known For: Folk, religious, and tantric wooden motifs
Practiced Since: 7th-11th centuries
The tradition of wood carving or likhai in Uttarakhand inspired by the natural beauty of the region is an integral part of the hill society. These carvings are among the most famous traditional crafts of India. They are renowned for their simple yet delicate and attractive designs.
Other Popular Crafts Of Uttarakhand: Pahari paintings, Ringal Products, Kumauni folk art.
28. Lucknow Chikan Work
Origin: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Known For: Delicate hand embroidery on fine fabrics
Practiced Since: Mughal era
Chikan translates to embroidery, the technique of creating chikan work or chikan embroidery work is called chikankari. It is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery which is one of Lucknow’s most ancient and well-known craft forms. This internationally recognized embroidery tradition is done on a variety of textiles like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net, etc and gives the cloth a delicate appeal.
Other Popular Crafts Of Lucknow: brassware, stone craft, glass ware.
29. Dhokra Metal Casting
Origin: West Bengal
Known For: Lost-wax metal casting, tribal figurines
Practiced Since: Over 4,000 years
This traditional art is used to make stunning metal figurines from bronze and copper-based alloys using a ‘lost wax casting’. One of the earliest known Dhokra artifacts is the famous statue of the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro. This art is still used to make artifacts, accessories, utensils and jewelry.
Other Popular Crafts Of West Bengal: Conchshell craft, Jute, Kantha, Sholapith.
30. Famous Handicrafts Of India From Its Union Territories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands – woodwork and carpentry
Chandigarh – party wear clutch, brass and wooden handicrafts
Dadra and Nagar Haveli – leather slippers, weaving of bamboo mats and baskets
Daman and Diu – ivory carving, tortoise shell art and mat weaving
Delhi – lacquer work and pottery. Book Now: Delhi Handicraft Tour On Private Basis
Ladakh – Thangka painting, traditional tie-dyed woolen shoes, pashmina shawls and carpets
Lakshadweep – seashell necklace, coconut and tortoise shell art
Puducherry – Leather, woodcraft, pottery, metal craft
Also Read: Exploring the Indigenous Arts And Crafts Of Sabah
Final Thoughts
These traditional crafts of India have not only preserved the art but also provide artisans to earn a livelihood from their creative works. The diverse culture, heritage, language and customs of this unique country have made us proud of our glorious history. So, take some time to delve into the culture and art of these destinations as well. If we’ve missed anything that should be on this list of traditional Indian handicrafts, do drop us a comment below.
FAQ’s
Pottery is widely regarded as one of the oldest traditional crafts of India, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE). Pots and decorative pieces were made by great artists using clay. Samples of them which are preserved in the Museum showcases the remarkable artistry of the artists. Besides pottery, carvings and drawings on cave rocks are also considered to be one of the oldest crafts.
Jaipur is widely regarded as the craft capital of India. Special jewelry such as Meenakari and processing of colored gems are done here using traditional techniques. It is also the global center for polished and cut emeralds. Craftsmen and artisans here are best at working with colored gems, silver and pearls.
With India being a diverse country, it is home to more than 50 traditional folk and tribal arts. This includes a variety of art forms such as painting, sculpture, pottery, textile arts such as painting, block prints and woven silk.
To buy authentic tribal handicrafts in India, head straight to regions like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Northeast India, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. One can also purchase directly from government outlets like Tribes India for genuine tribal crafts at reasonable prices.
