Introduction
Punjab is a state located in the northwestern part of India. It is a state that is surrounded by many other states on every side and by rivers. People in Punjab are mostly Sikhs and Hindus. Many Sikh Gurus lived here; they formed many cultures and did many things for the good of Punjabis. The origin of Punjabi literature was first discovered by Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh. People in Punjab are most devoted, and they are habituated to the natural forms, mostly temples along with the ponds, handcrafted materials, and cultural practices like dance, music, fairs, and festivals as this place is also a part of the Indus Valley Civilization. As ancestors started producing materials on their own, and till now, people in the place follow the tradition. This place was meant to be the place of festivals, and instead of any other state, this place and the people are still sticking to their culture and never stopping the originality of any art, even in this modernworld.
Place of Peace
Punjab is called the ‘Granary of India. It is a place famous for its fertile spot and agriculture. People in this area are especially well-known farmers, and each individual has their own business. It’s not about the multinational businesses and trades; it’s all about the small businesses like weaving, handicrafts, pottery, etc. Even though it’s not a multinational business, it sets the trademark and levels up their economy a little because people from all over India chose Punjab for their shopping hunts. Consumers can directly see the people who made the product and buy it at a discounted price, so it will help some families.
Handicrafts of Punjab
Punjab is a place of people and nature; as the name implies, it is a land of five rivers and people devoted to that. As the handicrafts of Punjab thrived, particularly during the Mughal period, as they were fond of ornamented jewelry and clothes, they made people do the work to enrich their looks.
There are several types of handicrafts:
Phulkari
This is a cloth that is embroidered with several flowery designs, as the name itself denotes that phul means flower and kari means shape. This is mostly a flower shape and sometimes geometrical shapes. These are just a single piece of cloth that is used for dupattas, salwars, shawls, etc. Even in this modern world surrounded by brands of attire, women tend to go for this for an aesthetic look.
Juttis
Juttis are nothing but footwear, but what is special about them? These Juttis can be worn by both men and women. In the Mughal period, they were mostly concentrated on their outlooks, so even in footwear, they expected richness. These Juttis are decorated with stones, and they are still in trend. Juttis can be fit into any outfit, from modern tees to a salwar. Juttis looks so good and cool.
Pottery
Potteries were started when human civilization started to settle, and till now, their legacy is leading in society. In this region, people are well-known craftsmen; they craft very intricate detailing in the pottery, from small pot to a big vase. These Punjab potteries are very famous, and people from all over the world visit them to buy pottery because of their natural and earthy colors and different patterns.
Weaving
Weaved baskets are so strong and stable, enriching the surroundings. Basket weaving was initially started as employment, and day by day, people started to buy weaved baskets, rugs, carpets, curtains, and more. These are woven using bamboo, grass, cane, leaves, and any other locally available materials. ‘Sarkanda’ is a commonly used straw used for weaving.
There are many types of handicrafts in Punjab; the ones mentioned above are famous and commonly known among people. From a small mat to a grand salwar, they are used to doing crafts on their own and selling them to the people, and later on, they set up a business over there.
Conclusion
Earlier, crafts were done to fulfill their own needs and pass the time. Especially women are well versed in this, but as the days passed, it became their financial base for their livelihood. The people in Punjab who are doing these works never felt it as a work; they selected every stone and pattern considering it as their material, and people from all over the world find it very personal as a human being carving something with their own hands in their quality time as a quality work, and they never find it as a sale. They will give people with all their smiley faces full of joy, and the consumer never finds it as a money thing; it’s purely a human connection between the hand and the heart, and that’s why the handicrafts of Punjab are still produced.
Reference List:
- https://sajosamaan.com/handicrafts-of-punjab/
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- Source link : https://www.bharatonline.com/punjab/art-crafts/index.html
- Source link : https://www.camelcraft.com/punjab-handicrafts.html
