Tuesday 31 December 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India V – Craft

India is an evergreen attraction for art lovers from the world over. There is reason behind this. No other country is accredited in the world for producing such a fantastic and large variety of colourful arts and crafts. Every Indian state is accredited for its unique and fascinating contribution to the country’s range and variety of handicrafts. Intensely colourful, delicately worked, exquisitely ornate and highly evolved, the handicraft industry of India is equally important for a tourist to India. They also make good souvenirs to take back hope after a shopping tour.
Crafts are not just a means of earning and livelihood for craftsmen here. These handicrafts are also a proud and creative expression of each community's distinct culture and identity. Their dedicated approach towards each handcrafted objects gives a new artistic meaning to the utilitarian subjects like quilts, table-tops, pottery, textiles, fabrics, etc.
Every part of India has its specialties. In fact, the destinations enjoy another identity of being a sourcing point for finest handicrafts and textiles. Like Brocade Silk Sarees are equivalent to Varanasi, Blue Pottery is associated with Jaipur, Bidriware to Golconda, Thangkas to Sikkim, Pietra Dura art of Agra, Shawls and Carpets of Kashmir, etc. Similarly, every destination journey is incomplete without observing and even purchasing such souvenirs. These ethnic sourcings beautified with Indian artistry and finest craftsmanship lure traveller’s mind to a point that makes them hard to resist. This is the main reason why these ethnic handicrafts are preferred by tourists during shopping in India.
Metalwork in brass and copperware are also an important art souvenir to be taken back home. It can be finely worked into trays, ashtrays, cups, plates and bowls. In Rajasthan, Meenakari is the technique used to colour the antique wares and jewellery with intricate enamel work. In Karnataka, the preferred antiques by tourists feature Bidri work based on inlaying technique upon a gunmetal alloy with fine designs in brass or silver. This gunmetal is later then blackened with sal ammoniac, to leave the inlay work shining.
Carpets are yet another tourist favoured handicrafts in the country. In fact, there is no match to a Kashmiri rug. A pukka Kashmiri carpet is made completely of wool with a little silk for a desired sheen. Woven carpets or durries from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh are also considered a valued purchase.
Who can forget the touristic love for vibrant and exotic Sarees from India. Every tourist appreciative of Indian culture prefers to buy at least one of a kind piece of work back home. Same fascination can be observed with paintings of various kinds i.e. from Rajasthan, Kerala, Tanjore, Delhi, Bihar’s Madhubani etc are also purchased by art enthusiasts.

Such is the colourful world of arts and crafts in India that mesmerizes the world. You can also know and appreciate arts and crafts via go for India.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India IV – Shopping

It must be essential to note that many tourists come to India just for shopping. An adventure of a vibrant kind, shopping is a great attraction in the country. But this trend is not just catching up recently. India was a shopper’s paradise then and now as well. Many historic travellers like Vasco Da Gama came to India after listening to the exotic tales of sourcing the finest silks, spices and carpets. Since then, numerous dynasties, foreign travellers came up to this country for obtaining its finest souvenirs.
In India, shopping takes up an irresistible urge, which cannot go unnoticed. There is so much in the country in terms of bustling bazaars, emporiums, well planned markets and even malls that add on to the shopping attractions of the country. During the shopping tour, a visitor can purchase the vast number of colourful arts, crafts, antiques, knick-knacks, fabrics, carpets, and much more add up to the list of shopping subjects. All these products offer a treat for the onlooker where the buyers can enjoy the shopping walks into markets and shopping hubs.
There are many tourist destinations famous for their specialties in shopping. Kashmir is renowned for its pure woolen Pashmina shawls, carpets and other woolen products. In terms of spices, the region is famous for saffron, Black cumin seeds, Kashmiri chillies and honey.
Jaipur in Rajasthan is known for blue pottery, bed linen, furnishings, durries, embroidered fabrics, vibrant footwear, stone carving, bangles, wooden toys, blankets. Agra is renowned for Pietra Dura inlay decoratives including the replicas of Taj Mahal, coasters, and the luxurious souvenirs from the city can vary even to the dining tables. Other shopping attractions of Agra include leather works including shoes, bags, belts and more; rugs and carpets. 
In Varanasi, travellers can source the bright and beautiful Banarasi Sarees produced by local craftsmen of Benaras. They utilize the weaving traditions on finest silks to produce the rich and royal sarees. Brass ware, ivory ware, glass bangles, copper ware, wood and clay toys and exquisite gold jewelry of Varanasi are also famous. Mysore, another hospitable destination is equally famous for its silks and other handicrafts made of sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood.
In Delhi, the visitors can shop from a variety of shops and source the variety of items including carpets, silks, jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and hand printed cotton. In Kerala, tourists can source numerous souvenirs ranging from Aranmula Kannadi - a lavish hand mirror, Netturpetti – ethnic jewel box, spice boxes, wood carvings, snake boat and Kettuvallam models, etc.

In all, India is a prominent shopping destination with numerous shopping attractions to look out for a lifetime. A shopping tour through the bylanes of the city or into its sophisticated emporiums brings out the best of the shopping destination called India.