Crafts of Uttar Pradesh
Handprinting
Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh is a veritable treasure house of traditional designs
ranging from the classical butis (dots) to the famous ' Tree of Life ', The
butis are restful even though sparkling when tinted in solid colors. Mango,
‘paisley’ as it is known in the West, is made in a vast variety of
shapes, and used in bold, medium and even fine designs.
The composition is first printed in harmonizing colors and later elaborated
with delicate details painted in with a brush. A variety of blossoms merge in
this luxuriant tree. It is primarily a decorative piece unrelated to any symbol
but has a flavour of growth, prosperity and immorality. The spirited heraldic
lions that guard the tree speak of a Hindu tradition.
Lucknow’s specialty is ‘paisley’. Other designs seem to be influenced
by the local chikan embroidery patterns. Jehangirabad is distinguished for its
bold lines and toned down colors, influenced by the jamdani and jamevar weaves.
Tanda (Faizabad) known for its jamdani weave is also the center of a very elaborate
printing of graphic quality which gives the fabric an antique look. Two blocks
with the same design are used, one perforated and stuffed with cotton to a saturation
of color, while the other is plain. These are then printed and reprinted and
juxtaposed in the process, developing a dark red color for printing the motifs.
The background shade however varies. A very novel design is a batoli chintz,
in which against a deep black indigo are placed red diamond-shaped dots of varying
sizes that create a startling effect.
In Ferozabad, the entire community is involved in making glassware. Earlier
only bangles were made, but now all sorts of sophisticated glassware, as well
as tasteful tableware is produced. Varanasi also specializes in glass beads.
Now with very modern methods and in a much wider range, many of which are exported.
It also make a a very thin glass out of which little pieces called tikli are
cut out. These are worn by women on the forehead as an ornament or for decorating
of fabrics, costumes and other things. Saharanpur makes interesting toys full
of colored liquid called panchkora. It also makes glass mouth pieces for hukkahs.
