35 Unique Handicrafts and Geographical Indications in India

Indian states reflect the diverse history and religion, The craft of each state in India reflects the different culture and tradition. The traditional ancient handicraft styles, Fruits, Metal Crafts, wood crafts and paintings are recognized by Geographical Indications of India.

Aranmula Kannadi, Kerala

Aranmula Kannadi is a handmade mirror, made in a small town of Aranmula in Kerala. The handmade metal alloy mirror are auspicious items in Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and protected as a geographical indication.

Channapatna Toys, Karnataka

Channapatna Toys and Dolls are traditional wooden craft, manufactured in Channapatna town of Bangalore district. These wooden toys and dolls are protected under the geographical indication of Karnataka.

Kondapalli Toys, Andhra Pradesh

Kondapalli Toys are made of wood in a village nearby Vijayawada and registered as one of the best geographical indication handicraft from Andhra Pradesh.

Kondapalli Toys also known as Lepakshi Handicrafts are very unique in style and theme. These traditional crafts created in a small village called Etikoppaka region of Andhra Pradesh.

Bidriware, Karnataka

Bidriware handicrafts are originates from the township of Bidar and registered under Geographical Indications of India. The metal handicraft is an important export handicraft of India and a world famous artistic metallic work.

Thanjavur Doll, Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur Dolls are traditional handmade bobble head dancing doll, recognized as a Geographical Indication by the Government of India. Thanjavur painting and Thanjavur Doll are world famous Indian cultural doll and paintings.

Kathputli, Rajasthan

Kathputli or string Puppet of Rajasthan are controlled by a single string and most popular form of Indian puppetry. Puppet and Ghoomar are two most popular performing arts of Rajasthan.

Dhokra, Chhattisgarh

Bastar Dhokra art and handicrafts is a lost wax metal casting. The product of dhokra artisans are very famous such as Dhokra horses, Dhokra elephants and registered as geographical indication of Chhattisgarh.

Nirmal Toys and Craft, Telangana

Nirmal Toys and Crafts are old and traditional soft wood toys and paintings, made in the town of Nirmal in the Adilabad district and received Geographical Indication along with Nirmal furniture and Nirmal paintings.

Cane and Bamboo Crafts, Assam

Cane and bamboo craft is one of the oldest crafts of India, are not only unique to Assam but also practiced at various places such as Chhattisgarh

Mysore Rosewood Inlay, Karnataka

Mysore Rosewood Inlay works are manufactured in around the region of Mysore and awarded Geographical Indication tag from the Government of India.

Bastar Iron and Wooden Craft, Chhattisgarh

Bastar Iron Craft and Wooden Craft are manufactured in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state and protected under the Geographical indication of India.

Karimnagar Silver Filigree, Telangana

Silver Filigree of Karimnagar is an ancient art, made by highly skilled and experienced craftsmen. Gold and silver are used in silver filigree, another famous type of silver Filigree work from Cuttack in Tarakasi.

Thanjavur Art Plate, Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur Art Plate is a circular plate, exclusively made in Thanjavur as a gift item. The artifact consists of metals silver, bronze, and copper.

Swamimalai Bronze Icons, Tamil Nadu

Swamimalai Bronze Icons are manufactured in Swamimalai of Tamil Nadu. The bronze idols and statues has been recognized as a Geographical indication of India.

Sankheda Furniture, Gujarat

Sankheda Furniture are colourful and painted wood furniture, made in Sankheda village of Gujarat. The product is protected under the Geographical Indications of India.

Khurja Pottery, Uttar Pradesh

Khurja Pottery is protected under the Geographical indication, manufactured in Khurja of the Bulandshahr district. These are traditional Indian pottery work having market in India and foreign countries.

Villianur Terracotta Works, Pudhucherry

Villianur Terracotta Works are made in Pudhucherry from fine green clay by villagers of Villianur. The handicrafts product listed as Villianur Terracotta Works underGeographical indication of India.

Konark Stone Carving, Odisha

Konark Stone Carving is an ancient practice consists of custom carved works. Stone Carving is one of the major handcrafts of Odisha.

Jaipur Blue Pottery, Rajasthan

Blue Pottery of Jaipur is a traditional craft and an eye catching art of Jaipur city. Kripal Singh Shekhawat was famous renowned craftsman and ceramist of India and known for his skills in Blue Pottery of Jaipur.

Coconut Shell Craft, Kerala

Brass broidered coconut shell craft of Kerala requires great skills to make products like cups, flower vases and snuff boxes. Coconut shell craft is also practiced in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa and Tamil Nadu.

Budithi Bell and Brass Craft, Andhra Pradesh

Budithi Bell and Brass Craft in Srikakulam district are registered as the geographical indication handicrafts and create objects like lamps, flower pots and bells for temples.

Bamboo Work, Chhattisgarh

The bamboo work of the tribes in Chhattisgarh make many kinds of bamboo items such as bamboo cane basket, Supa, Jhua and other bamboo products.

Longpi Coiled Pottery, Manipur

Longpi Coiled Pottery of Manipur are handmade crafts and known for its unique style and technique. Longpi Ham are used as cooking utensil but now for show piece as well.

Kamrupi Crafts, Assam

Kamrupi Crafts are Brass and Bell Metal products, known for their beauty and strength. Guwahati state museum has best and rich collection of traditional metalcraft in Kamrupi.

Agra Marble Art, Uttar Pradesh

Marble Art and Handicrafts from Agra is finest marble inlay artwork in India, There is another small level Marble Art from Jabalpur around Marble rocks along the Narmada river.

Terracotta Work, Assam

Terracotta and Pottery are famous traditional crafts in Dhubri district of Assam. Asharikandi village is one of the largest clusters of Terracotta and Pottery in India.

Saharanpur Wood Crafts, Uttar Pradesh

Saharanpur is well known for its lacy craft and wood carving. Wood carving is the pride of Saharanpur and also known for cottage industry and agricultural products.

Pembarthi Metal Craft, Telangana

Pembarthi Metal Crafts are very popular for their exquisite sheet metal art works. The metal handicraft is famous all over the world and received the Geographical Indication of India.

Sea Shell Crafts, Andaman

Sea Shell Art and Crafts are made out of Shell from Indian states of Goa, Odisha and Andaman Islands. These Sea shell items are extremely beautiful but expensive.

Pipli Applique Work, Odisha

Pipli Applique Work is well known craft in Puri and the town is also famous for their colourful fabrics and beautiful Applique handicrafts.

– Rogan Printing, Kutch

Rogan Printing is only practiced in the Kutch district by only one family. The craft was nearly died out but today with the help of NGO Rogan art of cloth printing is practiced by few families.

– Jutti, Punjab

Jutti footwear are traditionally made up of leather in Amritsar and Patiala. Nagra Juti, Punjabi jutti and Mojari are delicately embroidered with threads worn along with traditional dresses like sherwani and kurta pajama.

– Ravanahatha, Rajasthan

Ravanahatha or Ravana hasta veena is a popular musical instruments of Rajasthan. Other musical instruments of India includes Kamaicha, Sindhi Sarangi, Morchang, Alghoza and Ektara from Punjab.

– Patravali, Chhattisgarh

Patravali or Pattal and Dona are two separate items, made from Sal or Banyan tree leaves. These plates are very popular in villages of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, now made by machines with silver foil.

– Kolhapuri Chappal, Maharashtra

Kolhapuri Chappal are hand crafted leather slippers and very popular footwear in the United States. Kolhapuri chappals are known for Design and Durability, last for lifetime.

Other most famous items of India also include Solapuri Chaddar, Solapur Terry Towel, Kinnal Craft,Leather Toys of Indore, Salem Fabric, Chanderi Sarees,Coorg mandarin,Malabar pepper, Kullu Shawl, Punjab Phulkari and Mysore Betel leaf.