Indian leather handicraft industry is on it's height. Indian leather tanning has a history dating back to 5000 years. The leather crafts comes in a variety of traditional embroidery, brocade or textile designs. Bright colors and individual designs are used. They are decorated with silk, metal embroidery and beads. Leather with metallic gold or silvery finish is done in India.
Leather has been a part of human lives since times immemorial. The ancients used leather for many purposes before history was recorded. The wondering tribes made tents of it and used it for beds, carpets, armor and harness. They also found leather valuable for making bowstrings and shields for warfare.
The animals hunted down by the maharajas, used to be stuffed and converted into trophies . These were then either given away as mementos to the winners of various games played by the Maharajas or they served as decorative items.
Taking inspiration, the Indian craftspersons developed stuffed leather toys. Starting with tigers and horses, With time, the craft has evolved and given rise to new products. Today, almost all the animals of the world are created in leather, from miniature to life size. The craftspersons, in a bid to add life to the toys, use the most natural colors and textures.
Leather work has been practiced since a number of years in India. Craftspersons used to specialize in making leather toys, bags, belts, shoes, jacket etc. With With the help of new age discoveries, the tanners have begun to produce a great variety of immensely improved leather products, hence facilitating the growth of the craft.
Indian leather tanning has a history dating back to 3000 BC. Tanning in the rural areas is done by indigenous methods, making the use of this material easier. No village can exist without a cobbler.
The most popular leather products in India are footwear and hand bags. The footwear comes in a variety of traditional embroidery, brocade or textile designs. Bright colors and individual designs are used. The all time favourite, kholapuri chappals of Maharashtra, are soft and comfortable to wear.
A particular type of thickish shoes, called mojadis are made in Rajasthan. They are decorated with silk, metal embroidery and beads. Jaipur has the most fancy and sophisticated footwear. Jodhpur, on the other hand, has good embroidery in potent patterns and bold shades. 'Kopi', a rather unusual and attractive object, is a water bottle made in Bikaner from camel hide. Bikaner and Jaisalmer have decorative saddles for horses and camels.
Handbags in batik style with the cracks, bold curves, and traditional motifs are made in Bengal. The high raised leather seats with geometrical patterns or motifs, called pidis, are immensely popular. Leather items of Kashmir are outstanding, as they are very ornamental. The red leather embroidered with gold and silk is unique in Madhya Pradesh. In Hoshiarpur, Punjab, applique work is done with colored leather pieces. Leather with metallic gold or silvery finish is done in Karnataka. Fascinating articles are also made out of crocodile and snakeskins, such as wallets, pouches, handbags, and especially a wide range of belts. |
