The word Toran originally referred to sacred gateways in Indian architecture, with roots in both Buddhism and Hinduism. A notable example is the Kirti Toran, a 12th-century sandstone architecture in Vadnagar, Gujarat. Over time, the tradition evolved, particularly among the Gujarati community, where handmade torans are hung above doorways as a symbol of welcome. These decorative pieces represent love, prosperity, health, luck, happiness, and wealth. In the Vedic period, torans were crafted from mango leaves and marigold flowers, often used during auspicious occasions. Today, they continue to hold deep cultural significance, playing an essential role in various celebrations and rituals.

These paintings were popular in Jharkhand’s Dumka district, the sacred home of Jadopatua. The word ‘Jadopatua’ means ‘magic painters.’ This art form is generally practiced by the Santhals, the third-largest tribe in India. Some sources believe that the word ‘Jado’ in Santhali, meaning artist, gives rise to the name. Jadopatua paintings are vertical scrolls originally created on cloth, but they are now also made on paper. These paintings often depict stories about the origins of life, life after death, Hindu mythology, history, and tribal life, including rituals and festivals. This unique art form uses natural pigments derived from stones, leaves, flowers, and tree bark, all intricately applied to scrolls of varying lengths.

Nestled along the coastal stretch of Injambakkam, near Chennai, the Cholamandal Artists’ Village is a hub of modern Indian art. Established in 1966 by visionary artist KCS Paniker, this village was designed to create a space where artists could live and work communally while sustaining themselves through their craft. It emerged from the Madras Art Movement of the 1960s, which aimed to cultivate a unique artistic identity for South India. The village takes its name from the Chola dynasty (9th-13th century CE), known for its rich cultural patronage. Alongside Paniker, other key contributors to this thriving artistic community include V. Viswanathan, P. Gopinath, P.S. Nandan, K.S. Gopal, and many more.

Fine gold and silver leaf sheets, known as Varaq, have been extensively used for decorative purposes. One of its popular uses is in food decoration, where silver foil is applied to sweets like barfi and mithai. In addition, Varaq is often used to adorn statues and temples. Gold foil, in particular, is used to create Hikari, a type of gold paint used in intricate miniature paintings. Ayurveda also mentions the use of Varaq for its medicinal properties. The most fascinating application is in textiles, where Varaq is used in a traditional printing technique known as chandi ki chappai (silver printing). This method involves block printing with thin sheets of gold and silver leaf on fabrics. Varaq prints are often used on tent cloths, hangings, canopies, saddlecloths, book covers, and garments like sarees and kurtas.

The traditional handicrafts of Assam reflect not only artistic skill but also cultural and practical significance. Among these, the Majuli masks from Majuli Island are a symbol of Neo-Vaishnavite tradition, playing a central role in theatrical performances and religious rituals. These handcrafted masks, made from natural materials, are integral to the vibrant arts practiced in Satras, monastic institutions established by Srimanta Sankardev. Shamaguri Satra, in particular, has gained recognition for its mask-making tradition, which traces back to Assam’s first drama, Cihna Yatra. These masks, depicting gods, demons, animals, and more, range in size and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Assam.

Imagine painting shapes on threads before they are woven into fabric.… that’s ikat! When this art emerged in Pochampally, it flourished with a distinct characteristic of using a double ikat method on a silk cotton cloth. And that’s how Pochampally Ikat came into being. It sounds like decorating the cake before it’s baked – weird, right? I was dumbfounded!

Would you believe it when I say that Kalamkari textile was one of the reasons why the British gained power in India? Kalamkari is a 3000-year-old textile art form that uses a bamboo pen to hand-paint fabrics.

Yet another GI-tagged textile from South India is the Mysore Silk. And its history is associated with the revered Tipu Sultan, someone whose bravery is lauded in our history books!