The Craft
Wood Carving
Rajasthan
Lasting Legacies of Wood Crafts
Beautifully carved doors, projecting niches and balconies of royal houses and havelis (big quarters) are a common sight in Rajasthan. No Rajasthani haveli, resort or hotel is complete without elements of wood carving, a craft known for its intricate designs.
The Making
The artisans of Jodhpur craft a range of wood products that are carved, painted, embellished with metalwork, and finally, given an antique finish. The metallic decoration mostly use brass, but white metal and copper are also used. Sheets of metal are embossed, cut into required shapes and sizes, and finally affixed onto the wooden object to cover it partially or entirely. Sometimes, the wood is painted and distressed, or given an antique finish.
The Legacy
Most artisans engaged in this craft are from Barmer and some belong to the Meghwal community. They are known for carving stands for flour grinders, cots, carts that are drawn by camels, and cradles for rural communities. The carvings on these objects are decorative and sometimes include small, engraved metal elements.
Memory Vault
The Suthar community of carpenters, who are known as Mistris (workmen) in Gujarat moved from villages to Jodhpur and Jaipur, to establish a craft cluster. The time- honoured skills of these communities have adapted to modern times to meet the needs of flourishing urban and export markets.
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