In history, we have heard that India was also called the golden bird. No one has written like this nor has anyone said It’s my belief, that craft is one of the golden feathers of that golden bird.
When we talk about craft or artisans, the one common thing in all which amazed me is their satisfactory lifestyle, earthy nature, dedication, and love towards their craft and culture which they are following for centuries and transforming into their coming generations.
The charm of the craft sector is unique and all credits go to the artisans who have built this out of their hard work and artistic sense. They create beauty that connects with people, because of their personal touch in it. It’s a result of years of practicing traditional methods which makes them skillful and knowledgeable day by day.
Inspiring from nature they always play with their techniques and try to discover new things in the same style or genre. Stories or nature, artisans portray everything in their craft. The imagination and execution by an artisan are so incredible which can pause anyone in moving time. Either it’s Shahjahan or Ravan or Devi Ahilyabai, crafts have astonished everyone.
History says that Shahjahan the Muslim ruler who is known for Tajmahal’s creation and his love for his beloved wife Mumtaz. He was a big fan of craft. The jaw-dropping beauty of Tajmahal so much affected him that he did Cruelty on artisan by cutting their hands so that they won’t be able to create another Tajmahal.
According to Indian mythology, Ravan was also a big fan of crafts, he is known for the “Pushpak Viman”, after seeing the pushpak viman an airplane being impressed by the unique creation he confiscated pushpak viman from Kubera, the lord of wealth. Ravan was also known for his Lanka the city of gold created by him.
Devi Ahilya The only queen in Indian history whose called “DEVI”, crowned queen of the Maratha Malwa kingdom, India. She was a great pioneer and builder of Hindu temples as well as an admirer of crafts and creation. The legacy of Devi Ahilya is known for her two wonderful decisions which are the establishment of The Maheshwari Weaving and the use of architecture as a tool to built the temples and ghats to promote the Sanatan dharma. In the late 1700s, to find a better livelihood for Maheshwar’s people, the Queen invited weaver communities to come to teach her people the craft of weaving. The community of weavers that settled in Maheshwar due to her efforts were originally known to be from Mandu and Sindh. She gifted the beautiful, light textiles that were created to her guests like royal dignitaries and Peshwa Kings as welcoming presents. The craft slowly found royal patronage and thus, the handloom weaving tradition in Maheshwar began and these graceful sarees soon started becoming popular with women of all ages.
The craft which is coming from centuries to centuries and will continue so on. It will never die, always sustains itself either its pandemic time, recession, or inflation. artisan and their practice make craft alive. No matter what happens they keep practicing their craft and creating the charm out of their skillful hands and makes Craft alive. And that’s why I call it “Craft as the golden feather of India a golden bird”.