Handmade in India: A Geographic Encyclopedia of India Handicrafts

A unique compendium of Indian crafts, this informative source-book maps the handicrafts of the subcontinent and captures the traditions that have enriched the day-to-day lives, and incomes, of Indian craftspeople.

Handmade in India examines all aspects of Indian handicrafts―historical, social, and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products, and tools―unraveling a wealth of knowledge. Based on extensive fieldwork and research, this work maps out the regional crafts identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craftwork patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India, enabling the reader to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities. Some of these are well known, like the woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. The authors also describe lesser-known crafts like stitched boots from Ladakh, paintings from Jharkhand, and tinsel printing in Ahmedabad.

With its extensive photography, this unique volume will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals, and connoisseurs alike.

M. P. Ranjan was an industrial designer and design teacher at the National Institute of Design in India. His interests included design theory, basic design, and the systems-level function of design in managing economic change. His work in bamboo helped open up an entire sector of the bamboo industry in India. He published extensively on design education, craft, and information technology.