Arts & Crafts of Punjab

Punjab has a rich tradition of arts and crafts. The richness of the land is reflected in its handicraft. The people of Punjab lay much importance on their artistry and the minute details of their work. You get to see their skill woven even into the footwear, daily dresses, carpets and almost every other thing. The artistic creations of Punjab are acclaimed all over the world. The skilled and dexterous artisans of the state produce a variety of handicrafts and even the rural women have a major contribution in the production of these fascinating art works. Mud work is a famous rural practice in Punjab, prevalent from the ancient times. It is a trend in Punjab to mud-plaster the walls of the house and then, create motifs and designs on the mudded walls.






Basketry in punjab
Basketry is a longstanding handicraft followed in most parts of
Punjab. Mostly, the womenfolk in villages are oriented towards
 basketry as a means of employment. Initially, these baskets were
 predominantly used for household purposes. 

Durries  of punjab
Durries are the flat woven rugs that are functional as well as striking
 in nature. They are used either as carpets on the floor or as bed sheets.
What makes them distinct from the normal carpet and the bedcover is
 the intricate blend of artistic designs.







Juttis of Punjab
Punjabi juttis represent the traditional footwear of Punjab,
which is known worldwide for its exquisite design and
intricate pattern. It can be described as a traditional Indian
shoe, which some other states like Rajasthan and Haryana
also manufacture.




 


Punjabi Paintings
In the grand collection of Punjabi arts and crafts, one name that
deserves a mention is the mural paintings and frescoes. These
types of paintings are mainly done on permanent surfaces like
 walls, ceiling, gates etc. Punjabi people, by nature are lively and
juvenile.








Punjabi Paranda
Paranda is one of the traditional handicrafts of Punjab. It is a
 colorful hanging worn by the Punjabi women in their hair. Most
 of the Punjabi women have long hair, which they plait and then
 tie a paranda at the end. Parandis are available with a great variety
 in designs and colors. They are made out of a bunch of silk threads,
 intricately woven with other skillful works.









Punjabi Phulkari
'Phulkari’, literally meaning the flower working, is designed to
 enhance the beauty of attire. It is an art form, in which exquisite
 embroidery is done over shawls, dupattas and headscarves, in a
simple and sparse design. In some cases, the entire cloth is covered
 with dense designs, so that the ground cloth becomes invisible.







Punjab Woodwork
Punjab is well known for its artistic woodwork. Punjabi carpenters
 are highly skilled in making strong, durable and at the same time,
 visually attractive furniture. Their specialty lies in making a creative
 bed that has the back fitted with mirrors and has beautifully carved,



 colorful legs called pawas.