Crafts of Karnataka as jewellery

India is a country that has rich craft traditions. Every state has its own set of indigenous crafts and aesthetics. For my Parampare collection, I created a set of necklaces and earrings inspired by the Crafts of Karnataka. I chose crafts like Bidri inlay, Lacquer work, Mysore painting, Puppetry, Folk art of Haase Chittara along with navalgund Dhurrie making as my inspirations. Here, I present to you the Crafts of Karnataka as jewellery.

Crafts of Karnataka as jewellery

Here are some images of the crafts, as they exist to give you a reference point of what they are and how they have inspired me. From carpet to puppets, while these crafts look very different from each other, they are all decorative.

Bidriware

Bidri necklace – As an amalgam of metals such as copper and zinc, Bidriware is typically black and silver. Inspired by the Bidri inlays of Bidar, this necklace is a delightful medley of beads of different materials – metal, acrylic, glass crystal, thread and glass. The wire wrapped focal adds depth while the hot pink accent brings out the oxidised quality of metal that is unique to Bidri. Necklace closes with a pink and black sarafa cord. The earrings have oxisided studs with stone set beads included. The set is sold.

Hase Chittara

Hase Chittara is a folkart form practised in Shimoga and Malnad region of Karnataka. Here, the women draw scenes on red mud walls using rice flour paste to depict agricultural life, home life and celebrations of life. The images are graphic as it uses only lines and simple geometric forms. While this craft was a traditionally expressed on walls, modern adaptations are drawn on paper and fabric and converted into pend stands, cushion covers and so on.

Hase Chittara Necklace  is a combination of stringing and looping of beads. Symbolising the joy of matrimony, this pendant is strung with beads of glass, fabric and wood in rich burgundy.

Mysore Painting

Uma Maheshwara Mysore necklace- The iconography of Uma Maheshwara is symbolic of familial bonds in the society. It portrays the perfect balance of matter and energy that leads to everlasting joy. Here a mysore painting of Uma Maheshwara has been set in resin and strung with matching beads in fabric and glass. The necklace comes with earrings having the same image as the pendant.

While many (even in India) are familiar with Tanjore painting, they are not aware with Mysore painting. Both originated as art forms used for decoration in the royal courts of Tanjore and Mysore respectively . Both are relief based paintings when done on a wood base. However, they can also be created on a glass base. While the Tanjore style is about high relief, Mysore style has low relief work. It is softer and more intricate than the former. There is little gem setting in Mysore work. There exists a school of thought that the artisans of Tanjore were inspired by the Mysore paintings to create their own version. But I am not sure how true it is.

Thogalu Gombeyaata

Thogalu Gombeyaata necklace – Thogalu Gombeyaata is a form of Shadow puppetry that is special to Karnataka. Here Leather puppets are created to embody characters of Mahabaratha and Ramayana in folk entertainment. The myriad colours, forms and patterns of these rod puppets are showcased in this necklace with wired Chennapatna beads, agate and glass beads with Kemp focal. Comes with Studs Earrings with bead drops

Dhurrie making

Navalgund Peacock necklace – Navalgund dhurries (woven rugs and carpets) are famous for their richly colored stripes. Thye use geometrical motifs of animals and birds as well. This Navalgund Peacock necklace focuses on the geometric peacock design with accents of other traditional crafts like Lacquer work, Khun weaving and Lampwork. Necklace closes with a red and black sarafa cord. Coordinating Enamel painted Jhumka Earrings included.

Chennapatna Lac beads

The town of Chennapatna traditionally specialises n wooden toys, beads and other small objects covered with Lac which is a tree based resin. Since this is one of the most important crafts of Karnataka, I have used  the wooden Lac beads in all my necklaces in this collection except in the Hase Chitara, Uma Maheshwara Mysore necklace and the Tabebuia Tree necklace .

This brings us to the end of this long due post. I hope you enjoy this read of Crafts of Karnataka of jewellery. Do tell me in the comments, your opinion. I would also love to know if you use influences of your local crafts in your work. Ifso, how?

To see the pieces available for sale in the Parampare Collection and to buy them please contact Coolture Designs, this particular collection’s partner and exclusive retailer.



I hope you found it interesting
Cheers