Indian Handicrafts

A handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed asartisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft, and applies to a wide range of creative and design activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work with textiles, moldable and rigid materials, paper, plant fibers, etc. Usually the term is applied to traditional techniques of creating items (whether for personal use or as products) that are both practical and aesthetic.

Collective terms for handicrafts include artisanry,handicrafting, crafting, and handicraftsmanship. The term arts and crafts is also applied, especially in the United States and mostly to hobbyists' and children's output rather than items crafted for daily use, but this distinction is not formal, and the term is easily confused with the Arts and Crafts design movement, which is in fact as practical as it is aesthetic.

Handicrafting has its roots in the rural crafts—the material-goods necessities—of ancient civilizations, and many specific crafts have been practiced for centuries, while others are modern inventions, or popularizations of crafts which were originally practiced in a limited geographic area.

Many handicrafters use natural, even entirely indigenous, materials while others may prefer modern, non-traditional materials, and even upcycle industrial materials. The individual artisanship of a handicrafted item is the paramount criterion; those made by mass production or machines are not handicraft goods.

The manufacturer took their items from one place to other and they became famous for their craft. The craftsmen made extra efforts to develop something special and valuable products for Kings and queens of their time, they usually wanted to show their skills and to make king and queen happy so that they can be rewarded by them. Now those valuable things can be seen in the museums around the world. Those people who have been preserving the talent and the traditions of making Indian handicraft goods called Indian artisans, and govt. appreciate their efforts to keep classical art alive and rewarded by various National Awards. Time to time govt. organise exhibitions and craft fairs “mela” to promote Indian Art and Crafts every year.

Today Indian Handicrafts in World

People from ancient civilization to modern world have been using Indian handicrafts products for decorating home and gardens and utilities, the artisans have been attracting kings, queens and other rich people by their art and creations. The artisans of India from different part of country attracted people all over the world.

But if you can feel the products, however the machine made craft cannot have that feeling which you can feel by touching hand crafted products, it is a great feeling while you are touching and admiring the beauty of hand crafted art. Hand crafted products are long life, rich look and unique itself. Every art piece has the story and the history in it, you are feeling history while you are touching handicraft art piece, watching and decorating your house.

Traditions of Toran

Toran is the name in Hinduism (Sanskrit. torana, from tor, pass) of a sacred or honorific gateway in Buddhist architecture. Its typical form is a projecting cross-piece resting on two uprights or posts. It is made of wood or stone, and the cross-piece is generally of three bars placed one on the top of the other; both cross-piece and posts are usually sculptured.

The earliest archaeological evidence of Torana dates back to Sanchi stupa built by Mauryan Empire in 3rd century BCE. The Sanchi torana and architecture is imitation of timber and brick construction in stone, which was popular feature in Indian architecture before 3rd century BCE.

Both Chinese paifang gateways and Japanese torii gateways might have been derived from the Indian torana. The functions of all three are similar, but they generally differ based on their respective architectural styles, such as having multiple tiered and arched roofs and various "supporting posts" that are prevalent in East Asian architectural style. The Korean gateway is also related to the Japanese torii, and similar structures exist in Thailand.

A great deal of cultural exchange between these countries took place in ancient times, so that many Indian, Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese cultural practices are related. For example, Benzaiten is a Japanese name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati, and the ancient Siddhaṃ script, which disappeared from India by 1200 CE, is still written by monks in Japan.

In Kalinga architecture we can see the Toran in many temples built from the 7th to 12th centuries. Jagannath Temple, Puri, Rajarani Temple and Mukteswar Temple are the few example of Kalinga architecture having torana.

The origin of torans can be traced to Puranas (Hindu mythological work). Torans or bandanwaars are used to decorate the main entrance of the home. The main idea behind decorating the homes is to please and attract the goddess of wealth Lakshmiji. So the decoration of the entrance of the place which is called dwaar is also important in this regard. The beautiful door hangings that are also known as bandanwaars and torans have special significance as the decoration accessories. These torans are the first thing that welcomes your guests as they step at your place. These torans not only enhance the charm of the main entrance of your home but also give a friendly welcome.

Toran may also refer to a decorative door hanging in Hinduism, usually decorated with marigolds and mango leaves, or a string that is tied on the door with the flower on it as a part of traditional Hindu culture on the occasion of festivals and weddings. A toran may feature colours such as green, yellow and red. They can be made of fabrics or metals which are usually made to resemble mango leaves. They also have other decorative features depending on the region.

Diwali, when you hear that the festival is nearing you tend to plan about a lot of things. Cleaning home, shopping new stuff, lightening the home, decoration,sending sweets to relatives, etc. but there is one more ritual attached to Diwali and that is toran. Toran is a traditional hanging seen in Indian households during festive occasions, like Diwali. It fits perfectly into the archways of doors and at the entrance of homes. The flowers and beads are hung on the doorways, pathways and windows and it gives the festive mood an enhancement and also adds on to the decor of the house.

Hanging a toran at the door is considered as an auspicious sign. These decorative toran are hung with an intention to welcome goddess Lakshmi to the households. You can either make toran by yourself in different ways to create varied effects, or buy it from market.

You can decorate your sweet homes forever with these stunning exclusive torans. A special vaastu toran, beautiful satin ribbon toran, a unique tissue toran, and sparkling crystal and beads toran, classic woollen toran, cotton toran, etc. are covered in this category. Desihandcrafts brings handmade torans made by our artisans taking care of our culture and traditions. 

Social Changes with handicrafts

Handicrafts is the second largest source of employment after agriculture in India.  With roughly some 23 million+ artisans this sector is the one that stands to have great social impact on our nation.

This sector offers some unique opportunities not just for business but also to promote social changes. This venture of desihandcrafts  is all about Indian Handicrafts and the impact that new age and technology have on them.

www.desihandcrafts.com is the online destination for all Indian Handicrafts - for searching, shopping, and getting it delivered at your door step with premium service and making a social impact. We take care of everything including customization of products.

We don’t just sell handicrafts but the story; all our products are sold as a story rather than on the face-value of the product. We believe that given a chance all of us would like to know the history, art and how the craft is being made which adds intrinsic value to the product. Through our blogs we have been discussing the history of handicrafts.

Through our business model we are bringing in a unique online experience which people would have rarely experienced like our return policy rarely seen in the Indian market. On the other side we are also looking to make a greater Social Impact looking to make each artisan and entrepreneur.

Desihandcrafts realizes the growing need for utilitarian yet aesthetic handcrafted products and bridges the gap between the creator & the appreciator.

Thought this model we bring the unique Indian handicrafts to people all across the India for now. Desihandcrafts also has a B2B gifting model for corporates who  are to make an impact on corporate social responsibility .

Story rather than the product – Our fundamental belief is that given an opportunity we all love to make an educated buy. That’s exactly what we are providing to our appreciators. We bring to our appreciators the story on how the product is made, where it is made and the history of the products which add intrinsic value to the product and provides them the tools to make an educated buy.

Authentic products – Our own search led to the conclusion that this is one of the most important points to tackle.

Unique artifacts from across India – Where does one go to find Indian Handicrafts which have historic significance and help you make an educated buy. Our answer is www.desihandcrafts.com. We bring to our appreciators artifacts from all over India.

Social Impact of Desihandcrafts: 

After agriculture, handicraft is the second largest occupation in India with more than 23 million people in this sector. Every 7-10 years 10% of these artisans leave their jobs looking for better opportunities. If this continues the Indian Handicrafts will be lost in the next few decades. This is when we decided to take this situation head on and create a unique ‘desihandcrafts’ platform.

Desihandcrafts through its business model will have a direct impact on the livelihood generation. Going ahead we also help the artisans with education, healthcare and few other initiatives which will help them in empowering themselves and help Desihandcrafts achieve its goal to make each artisan an entrepreneur.

One thing for sure that helped me and may help others too is stay true to what you are trying to do. Having a good mentor helps, try to get a mentor who can help you when you stray from the company vision. Lastly if you are interested in Desihandcrafts do get in touch with us, you can mail us at proposal@desihandcrafts.com and join us on 

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