Jaipur Attire

The people of Rajasthan, living in the barren and monotonous landscape, add a whole range of colors in their lives through their costumes. Their affinity to colors can be seen in the way they decorate themselves, their houses and even their animals. Pageantry, a part of the daily ritual, manifests in the way the men and women dress. Resplendent, in their raiment, where the preferred bright red, dazzling yellow, lively green or brilliant orange, highlighted by a lavish use of sparkling gold and silver 'zari' or 'gota', never seem to cease.

Men, in Rajasthan, are no less ritually adorned than the women and can almost vie with the amount of jewelry they sport. For their own dressing, the turban, an Angrakhi or Achakan as the upper garment and Dhoti or Pajama as the lower garment makes the male outfit.

The Rajasthani men adorn themselves with astonishing variety in styles of turban that denote their region and caste. To be able to give different shapes to such length of cloth requires a good bit skill that the Rajasthani men take pride in perfecting.

As social customs are still governed by the age-old traditions, it is only natura l to see women in swirling skirts, who spontaneously pull the veil or ghunghat over the faces at the sight of a man. They generally wear a three-piece dress which includes the ghagra (skirt), the odhni (head cloth), the kurti (shirt). Women are particularly inclined to wear jewelry on many parts of their body including specific types that are worn on the feet, head, forehead, ear, nose, neck, arms, wrist, fingers and waist.

They go even further by making beautiful henna decorations on their hands and feet, especially on the occasion of marriages.

Rajasthan famous for its jewellery industry from very early times, being an important source of precious and semi-precious stones such as emerald, garnet, agate, amethyst, topaz and lapiz lazuli. Though Jaipur is internationally renowned for its exquisite Kundan (the art of setting precious stones in gold) and meena (enamel) jewellery, meenakari is also done in Nathdwara near Udaipur.Lac and glass bangles are a special attraction of Rajasthan and are made in a variety of colours and designs in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Silver is commonly worn by rural women and one can pick up old tribal silver jewellery as well.

Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range of dyed and block-printed fabric which are further embroidered. Each region has its own special colour scheme, design and technique.
Hand-block printed textiles of the townships of Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur have won the hearts of millions at home and abroad. Jaipur's quilts are a hot favourite with most tourists. Tie-and-dye textiles, called bandhej or bandhani are an important Rajasthani craft. Different methods are used to tie the fabric into small points and produce various patterns like lehariya, mothda, ekdali and shikari. The best bandhej comes from Sikar and Jodhpur, while Jaipur, Barmer, Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwara are the other centres. Zari and gota are lavishly used in bridal and formal costumes. One can pick up saris or even cushion covers with this elaborate metallic thread embroidery.

The entire tradition of metal crafts probably arose from the warrior's need to embellish his armour. His sword handle was probably damascened, the scabbard worked with gold and set with jewels, the dagger decorated despite its rapier sharpness, the shield and body armour enamelled so that he went to the battlefield proud as a peacock.

In later years the art of enameling became merely decorative and, in Rajasthan has been used for everything from table tops to wall plates, flasks, and for crafting objects d'art. Usually done with brass, it has a tinsel-like quality unless the base itself is heavy enough to carry off the work successfully. However, the silversmith does a better job with a range of statuary that is stunning once patterned into animal figures , an orchestra of musicians , or caparisoned elephants with human figures a top a howdah . these enamelled silver pieces are some of the finest examples of the jeweller and metal smith working together.

Puppetry is an ancient and popular form of folk entertainment. No village fair, no religious festival and no social gathering in Rajasthan can be complete without the kathputlis (string puppets).
With their exaggerated eyes and brightly coloured dresses, the kathputlis are simply eye-catching.

Rajasthan produces the country's finest marble, sandstone, quartz and slate. The extraordinary craftsmanship of Rajasthani stone workers is visible in the numerous temples, palaces and havelies. For the connoisseur, there are life-like and life-size statues, the intricately carved pillars and jalis (latticed grilles). The finest examples of jali work can be seen in the various havelis (mansions) of Jaisalmer. Precisely carved statues, busts, pillars, furniture items and other objects in white marble stone in Makrana are unforgotten able

Palaces, Havelies, even huts are commonly having Walls and ceilings covered with colourful paintings in Rajasthan. Some of the finest paintings can be seen in havelis of the Shekhawati region and the ancient towns of Bundi and Kota. And some of the most humorous on the walls of houses tucked away in the lanes of Jaisalmer.

They include the phad and the pichwai (cloth hangings used behind the deity in Vaishnava temples such as the temple of Shrinathji at Nathdwara). Done in bright colours with bold outlines, these paintings have strong religious traditions.

Different schools of this fascinating art have flourished here since the 16th century, each with its own distinctive style.
The Kishangarh school is best known for its Bani Thani paintings. A totally different style with highly exaggerated features - long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours.The verdant greenery of the Kota-Bundi region is reflected in the paintings of that region.

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer are traditionally known for their footwear. Incredibly comfortable and sturdy, the jootis have artistically emroidered uppers.
Leather is also an essential raw material for making musical instruments especially percussion instruments (such as the tabla and dhol) and the stringed instruments (like kamaycha) used by Rajasthani folk musicians.
Bikaner is known for its painted lampshades, shields and vases made from camel hide. Designer hand-bags, purses, belts, hats, stools and collapsible chairs with graphic emroideries from Tilonia village near Ajmer also make a good buy.

Carved wooden chests and boxes with brass inlay and laquer work, together with sandalwood statues and objects, are the some of the most popular hand carafed items.
There is also a wide range of grand furniture, reminiscent of the royal era. Tilonia (near Ajmer) furniture also stands out for its fine embroidery work done on leather. As also carved furniture from Barmer region.

The hand knotted woollen carpets of Tonk, Bikaner and Jaipur, are generally based on Persian styles .The traditional cotton durries of Jaipur, Jodhpur are, mostly in pastel shades with geometrical motifs design .These can brighten any dullest floor. Woolen Namda of Tonk (non woven) are equally popular.

One of the finest crafts to emerge from Bikaner uses the inner hide of the camel. the is scraped till it has the consistency of paper , and is translucent. this is then moulded into forms that range from lamp shades and frames to hip flasks, perfume phials or vases. this is then painted over with fine gesso work using gold to lend richness to the otherwise bright reds and greens used in the work.