Arts & handicrafts in India

India has a plethora of pashminas, some the real thing and others far from it. The origination of the word pashmina is the word pashm, which is the hair from the semi wild Himalayan goat. Every spring a group of local women gathers this wool in the mountains and hand weaves it into pashminas in Srinigar. The mass produced ones are machine loomed with cheap thread. A good, handmade one will cost you around £150.

The royal families of Rajasthan were, and still are, great patrons of the arts. Consequently many of the state’s art forms still exist today. Bring an extra suitcase to Rajasthan if art and handicrafts are your thing. Specialties include textiles designed by hand using wooden blocks; engraved metal – especially jewellery boxes; and Jaipur’s famous blue pottery. This is made with quartz and is influenced by historical Persian influences in the region. Ask your tour operator about private palace art galleries in the state as well. There are plenty that are open to the public, but they aren’t always in the guidebooks.

Making paper by hand is an art form in India that goes back to the times of royal rulers through the ages. Seek out quality producers making paper using all sorts of materials, from silk to rags, mulberry to rose petals. Paper made in India using traditional methods is an art form that is easy and cheap to bring home.