Artifacts crafted using hands, without the help of complex tools and machinery is the simplest way to describe handicrafts. Pottery is one of the oldest known handicrafts, and apart from having archaeological significance it has influenced the socio economic set up of the society, since its inception. Costs involved are low. Pottery items are well known for their ambidextrous function, of being a decorative as well as an item of utility.
For a brief historic background of its inception, let us go back to the early 6000BC, when near the beginning of the Neolithic era, it was first made as a crude object. It was used to hold things like twigs, leaves etc. Various studies were conducted in order to compare pottery, crafted around the same period in different regions. Even the slightest similarity suggested a social co- relation, between the two geographies.
Pottery is largely classified as follows:
• Earthenware
• Stoneware
• Ceramic ware
Earthenware is the least sophisticated, owing to the procedures followed in making them. Stoneware was slightly more advanced and ceramic ware is certainly the most sophisticated earthenware.
Pottery making in India is a much sought after vocation and art form, commonly seen in rustic India. Potters wheel evolved into small industries and the existing industries are being revolutionized with scientific intervention. Sir S. Deb ran the first pottery unit in India at Calcutta. It was successful in establishing high class pottery from local clay. In the first decade of the 20th century, porcelain factories were set up in Gwalior and Calcutta. And today, India is ranked among the top 5 tile manufactures globally.
Depending on the feature, pottery can be classified as black pottery, blue pottery, semitransparent pottery and terracotta. The two main categories however are the glazed and unglazed variety. They are made beautiful by adding suitable color and designs.
The state of Uttar Pradesh also has a distinctive artifact namely the Khurja, which looks enchanting with warm shades of autumnal colors like orange, brown, and light red. The background has floral patterns in sky blue color and is by and large used as table ware, dinner-set or as a flower vase. The blue pottery from Delhi and the famous hand painted blue pottery of Jaipur are noted for their delicate designs and exquisite painting. The paint brush used is made of squirrel's hair. Rampur 'surahis' or 'waterpots' are noted for their green blue glazes. White pottery made of white clay is found in Kutch.
Pottery in South India is unique as well. Apart from being a host to thousands of tourists throughout the year, and enthralling them with an unsurpassed picturesque grandeur, Goa also boasts of rich handicraft. Goan earthenware has a deep rich velvety surface. Chillum which is a clay pipe used for smoking is also an artifact down south. Vellore, Usilampatti in Madurai, Karigari pottery in Andhra Pradesh, Arcot of Tamil Nadu and Khanapur in Belgaum district of Karnataka are the places famous for its production. Moving on to the most popular form of pottery the 'terracotta' of west Bengal is multifaceted in function. It is used as a tile for flooring, sometimes in the ceiling and also as ethnic wall decor. Home decor with a touch of terracotta is truly enchanting.
The art of pottery may undoubtedly be the oldest handicraft known, but is definitely not one that has not witnessed resurgence. Since the use of the potter's wheel in the early Bronze Age, the art of making pottery has come a long way. Adding effervescence to the multicultural facet of India and the world, pottery has truly enticed mankind.
By: Amrith K.A
Best Selling Handicrafts Gifts
Leading online retailer Infibeam.com has acquired Bangalore based photo printing and customized gifts company Picsquare.com. Picsquare was founded in 2005 and continues to be the most preferred online destination for gifts during special occasions like birthdays, weddings and festival season. The founders Manish Agrawal and Kartik Jain are both alumni of IIT Mumbai and will continue with Infibeam post acquisition.
With this acquisition, Infibeam.com will offer the largest selection of retail and customized goods at most attractive prices for consuming India. The Founder & CEO of Infibeam.com Mr. Vishal Mehta said "The acquisition of Picsquare.com will perfectly complement our existing product lines like cameras and gift stores. Choose a gift product and you can add a personal touch to it by adding a photo picture, designs or words that reflect your emotions." He further added "Picsquare will continue as a stand-alone website and customers can expect many more innovative products and features in coming weeks".
"Now with the support of Infibeam, we'll be able to devote more of our time to expanding product selection and improving product features" said Manish Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of Picsquare.com. He added "Infibeam.com has always put the customer at the center of everything it does, and we look forward to making Picsquare.com even better for our customers in weeks to come".
About Infibeam.com & Picsquare.com:
Infibeam.com is an exciting new shopping destination online. With innovative search and navigation, detailed product descriptions, crisp images and best customer service, the team at Infibeam.com is dedicated to providing customers with an unparalleled shopping experience right at your doorstep. Choose the product you want and leave the rest to Infibeam.com.
Picsquare.com is a market leader in online photo printing and customized gifts. Personalized products such as photo greeting cards, collage posters, photo-books, t-shirts from Picsquare are ideal gifts for special events such as birthdays and festivals.
http://www.infibeam.com/
http://www.picsquare.com/
Online retail major, Infibeam.com has recently launched Home Appliance Store to cater to needs of modern home management. The new store has products a wide variety of collection ranging from kitchen appliances to cleaning equipments. The products in the store include Toasters, Grills, Tea Maker, Coffee Maker, Cooker, Iron, Food Processor, and Vacuum Cleaner among many others that are designed for an enhanced lifestyle.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vishal Mehta, founder and CEO of Infibeam.com said, "With nuclear families and both partners working, life has become very fast paced specially in urban India. Our Home Appliances Store comes with a wide array of products that go into making life much easier at home." He further added, "The idea behind the launch of Home Appliances Store is to offer user friendly and energy saving products online."
A visitor to the Home Appliance Store can choose from six main product categories viz; Toaster / Grill, Tea / Coffee Maker, Cooker, Iron, Food Processor, Vacuum Cleaner. All the categories have their respective products with different price and feature ranges tailored to suit individual needs. The USP of all the products lies in efficiency, style and portability that would tempt a visitor to add them to his/her easy-to-use Home Appliances.
The product catalog is appropriately designed so as to make the search easy. The whole buying process involves a few minutes of search and a series of simple clicks through its cool navigation features.
A visitor can also zero in on his/her preferred home appliance by consulting our customer service experts through Infibeam.com Live Chat option, to know about the latest arrivals and their added features. The chat option can be used for any queries related to the products and services of Infibeam.com.
And what's more, all the products in the Home Appliance Store come with attractive discounts available till limited stocks lasts. The sleek and trendy Home Appliances available at the store not only make smart buys for personal use but also make excellent gifts.
Individuals living abroad can opt for free shipping options to send Home Appliances to India. And to top it, Infibeam.com also has a variety of time specific shipping options like scheduled date delivery, same day deliver, midnight delivery, or international shipping to countries like US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand etc.
About Infibeam.com:
Infibeam.com is a wonderful and exciting new destination online. The company focuses on selling a variety of products via internet, which includes new and used automobiles, mobiles and accessories, books, cameras, watches, gifts, toys, home appliances and a lot more at guaranteed lowest prices.
Choose the product and leave the rest to Infibeam.com. The company has a special team dedicated to provide the lowest prices, excellent selection, and a really cool experience found no where else online.
Send Gifts to India - Infibeam.com is an exciting new online destination and community that focuses on selling latest Mobiles, Watches, Gifts, Home Decor, Toys, Jewellery, Cameras and Home Appliances at guaranteed lowest price.
Top Selling Home Appliances
One of the most important days in our lives is when we have a new home which we can call our own. The day is even more special when you have some one to share it with. A new home is something that we all look forward to have. India is a land of ceremonies and before one actually starts living in a house various pujas are performed and guests invited. This ceremony is known as the house warming ceremony.
As a ritual people gather for the puja, sit through it and disperse for a sumptuous meal. Before they leave, they give presents to the host. The gifts may be personal or an item of utility for their new home. It may be your friend's home or an acquaintance's, make sure to choose the appropriate gift for their new abode.
Housewarming gifts may be varied. You could pick up gift items like vases, showpieces, paintings, handicraft items and wall hangings to be used as decorative items. It is also customary and considered auspicious to gift utensils. Utensils today come in different forms from 'cook and serve lit ware' to the very Indian copper bottom utensils. Conventional copper jug, copper steel handi and copper kalash make excellent housewarming gifts.
Besides this you could also gift jewelry box, brass minakari bowl, gem stone key holder, Ganesha idol and items of utility like a wall timepiece. Handcrafted paintings on marble and metal embossed wall hangings also make artistic housewarming gifts. Diwan set; set of cushion covers, exquisite bed sheets, quilts and other Egyptian cotton bed sheet sets are well thought out gift options for a new home.
No home is complete without a puja room .Various puja items like puja thali, authentic Peacock Divi, Lakshmi arti, brass lamp, vaastu good luck Ganesha and Brass two step Divi could be gifted. If you know that the host believes in 'Feng Shui' then you may buy gifts like the good luck bamboo plant, Feng Shui coins and wind chimes.
For those living abroad you may send housewarming gifts to India by availing the online shopping options. If you have family living abroad and you cannot make it to their housewarming ceremony send gifts to U.S. Canada and other countries through these online marts.
It is often said that 'its better late than never' hence if you know that someone close to you is setting up their new home, do not be the last one to send gifts to India for a new house. Browse through the product category and choose the gift of your choice. You will find yourself beaming when you see the host's face radiant with joy at your thoughtfulness!
By: Amrith K.A.
