crafts of ahmedabad, handicrafts of gujarat, urban crafts, crafts of gujarat, hand crafted products, crafts council of india

Introduction

CRAFTS OF AHMEDABAD:
A documentation done by Piyanka Gaitonde
September 2007

Gujarat, the western coastal state of India is home to a varied range of ethnic communities, most maintaining traditional dress and craft, including weaving, dyeing, printing, bandhani, embroidery, leather work, pottery, wood work and metal work. These crafts are an essential part of the way of life of the people inhabiting the many villages, towns and even the cities of Gujarat.

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970. The city was founded in 1411 to serve as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, by its namesake,Sultan Ahmed Shah. Under British rule, a military cantonment was established and the city infrastructure was modernised and expanded. The city developed a booming textile industry, which earned it the nickname "the Manchester of the East".

Ahmedabad is located in the state of Gujarat that has a very rich crafts tradition. most of these are documented in the list below by an organization called Craftroots that is engaged in promoting these crafts. Each craft in itself has sub-categories and styles, depending on the individual traditions of the sub-community. An effort is being made by The House of MG to put identify and collect them on this site.

Today, the city of Ahmedabad hosts millions of micro enterprises, providing a lively-hood to men and women who work from home itself, employing minimal resources. One can find a rich palette of materials, repertoire of traditional designs, skills and hand processes flourishing in this city.These unique crafts have evolved over time in a specific social, cultural and economic context and form an essential part of the material culture of the city of Ahmedabad.

This project to document the Urban Crafts of Ahmedabad was commissioned by The House of MG to enable the identified craftsmen to collaborate with invited designers from India and abroad towards this end. This document is an attempt to illustrate the diversity of skills and craft techniques available in the city.

Crafts of Ahmedabad
Introduction CRAFTS OF AHMEDABAD: A documentation done by Piyanka Gaitonde September 2007 Gujarat, the western coastal state of India is home to a varied range of ethnic communities, most maintaining traditional dress and craft, including weaving, dyeing, printing, bandhani, embroidery, leather work, pottery, wood work and metal work. These crafts are an essential part of the way of life of the people inhabiting the many villages, towns and even the cities of Gujarat. Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970. The city was founded in 1411 to serve as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, by its namesake,Sultan Ahmed Shah. Under British rule, a military cantonment was established and the city infrastructure was modernised and expanded. The city developed a booming textile industry, which earned it the nickname "the Manchester of the East". Ahmedabad is located in the state of Gujarat that has a very rich crafts tradition. most of these are documented in the list below by an organization called Craftroots that is engaged in promoting these crafts. Each craft in itself has sub-categories and styles, depending on the individual traditions of the sub-community. An effort is being made by The House of MG to put identify and collect them on this site. Today, the city of Ahmedabad hosts millions of micro enterprises, providing a lively-hood to men and women who work from home itself, employing minimal resources. One can find a rich palette of materials, repertoire of traditional designs, skills and hand processes flourishing in this city.These unique crafts have evolved over time in a specific social, cultural and economic context and form an essential part of the material culture of the city of Ahmedabad. This project to document the Urban Crafts of Ahmedabad was commissioned by The House of MG to enable the identified craftsmen to collaborate with invited designers from India and abroad towards this end. This document is an attempt to illustrate the diversity of skills and craft techniques available in the city.

Print Documentation		Video Documentation	Print Documentation
1). Mojari Making	2). Khata Making	3). Patang Making	4). Gamthiwala	5). Roghan Printing
	Video Documentation	Print / Video Documentation		Print Documentation
6). Bandhani	7). Copper Untensils	8). Chick Making	9). Basketry	10). Mata Ni Pachedi
			Print Documentation	Video Documentation
11). Moti Bharat	12). Applique	13). Bird Cage Making	14). Mala Making	15). Bobby Painter
Video Documentation
16). Paper Making	17). Paper Flowers	18). Bangle Making	19). Henna Painting	20). Silver Jewellery
Video Documentation
21). Slotted Angle Racks	22). Bibliography