Handicrafts are the artistic products made by the skill of the hand without the help of modern machinery. It is a type of work especially used as decorative items. Crafts are integral part of Indian society which represents its cultural diversity. Each region of India has its own uniqueness in terms of arts and crafts. South Indian handicraft has its own charm and glory which have attracted the attention of large number of tourists from across the globe. The popular South India Handicrafts are:

Woodcrafts

Woodwork is a popular craft in South India because this region is endowed with abundant forests which are rich in different varieties of wood. Wooden handicrafts includes items like carved figurines, decorative pieces, furniture and accessories, utensils, beads, panels and many more. Woodcraft of South India has distinct styles which are known across the world. Channapatna in Karnataka and Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh are known across the world for its wooden toys. Karnataka is famous for carvings and exquisitely beautiful decorative pieces made from sandalwood.

Stone Carving

Stone carving is another major handicraft of South India. During South India Tour tourist can see varieties of stoneware made up of yellow lime stone and colored white marble. Some of them are in filigreed, fretted marble or sandstone. One can see the best of stone carvings in South Indian temples whose intricate carvings are known across the globe. Some of the places where one can see the best of stone carvings are Meenakshi and Rameshwaram Temple of Tamil Nadu, Tirupati and Gundala Mallikarjuna Swami Temple of Andhra Pradesh and Cave and Vithala Temple of Karnataka.

South India is the area encompassing states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. These four states are famous across the globe for its natural and cultural diversities. These states are also famous across the globe for its arts and crafts. The popular handicrafts of these states are:

Handicrafts of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is known across the globe for its wide range of South Indian silk saris which are famous for its fabrics, design and colorful compositions. Among all the silk garments Kanchipuram silk is the most popular one. The other popular handicrafts of this state are objects made from palm leaves and Palmyra fibers, metal ware, brass and bronze statues, hand woven clothes and beautiful jewellery.

Handicrafts of Kerala

Kerala popularly known as God’s Own Country is renowned for its speckled charm of nature. Along with the natural beauty this state is also known for its handicrafts which are popular across the globe. Some of the popular handicrafts of Kerala are ivory, gold and silver jewellery, bamboo mat paintings, different types of lamps, Kathakali masks and dolls.

Do you want to eat unique side dishes to boost your appetite? Do you want to eat a uniquely tasted pickle on a burger? Do you want to taste different flavors such as sweet, sour, salty and spicy in just one bite? Then find Indian pickles and be ready for a mouth sizzling meal.

Pickles are preserved foods soaked in brine or a salt and water solution. Pickled foods could be stored for months and these are commonly used as side dishes. Pickles could be made in anything edible such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, and eggs. Pickles also have a rich vitamin content which makes the body strong.

Pickles from India or achaar are unique because these are mixed in spices that only the country has. India is considered as a spice rich country because there are so many spices there that no other countries have. These spices are used on a daily basis and they mix it before cooking to release its unique flavors. Some common Indian spices include cumin, mustard seeds, carom seeds, saffron, kennel, curry, mango powder, bay leaf, fenugreek, turmeric, coriander and asafetida.

Pickles from India have a different aroma and flavor because it is made with different spices, cooking styles and ingredients. Usually these pickles are made from four or more ingredients. These pickles are traditionally cooked in oil. There are many different varieties of pickles according to its made and region.

The most common main ingredients used in pickles from India are mangoes (pickles called as (aam ka achaar) and lime (nimbu ka achaar). Other varieties are made from common ingredients such as cucumber (kankro achaar), turnip (shalgam ka achaar), cauliflower (gobi ka achaar), carrots (gajar ka achaar), lotus stem (kamal kankri ka achaar), pumpkin, (kaduu ka achaar), ginger (adrak ka achaar), garlic (lahsun achaar), mushroom (krumb achaar), eggplant (baigan ka achaar), jackfruit (chakka achaar), chili peppers (mirchi ka achaar), bitter melon (karela ha achaar); and unique ingredients such as rose petals, kohlrabi, gunda, kerba, Indian gooseberry and zimikand; or a combination of two or more main ingredients.

Making pickle Indian-inspired is not that hard to do. All you need is to chop the main ingredient and let it dry in the sun. Afterwards, it can be mixed or cooked in some spices and oil.

Pickling is also a main tradition in India. Women line up on the streets to chop ingredients and let dry in the sun. They usually talk while chopping and preparing pickles. Every Indian woman has her own pickle recipes that were passed down on her grandmother and mother. These pickles are usually stored in a martbaan or an attractive Indian pickle jar.

Other than Indian homemade pickles, there are also other pickles sold online. These are usually comes in neat jars or aluminum cans with the name of the product. You can be sure that you can still taste the Indian flavor of the pickle like you are eating in India.

Indian pickles will not replace pickles from other countries because of its distinctive taste. Every food aficionado would want to have a bite of this unique pickle.

Bikes have been ruling the automobile sector in India for more than 50 years now and are a favorite among young men for the look, style and speed it has. Apart for these, there are many advantages of having a bike in India. For example, it gives you the space to move in an extremely congested road. Moreover, you can use a bike to travel even on the very narrow roads with ease. Roads in India are full of bikes and while these are a passion for some, they are used for a number of practical purposes.

In the year 1955, reliable motorcycles were needed by the Indian Government suitable for its police and Army for patrolling the country’s border highways. This is when the first batch of 350cc Bullet was received and assembled in Madras (currently known as Chennai). Since then, India bikes have become the major segment in the two-wheeler industry.

Most of the leading India bike manufacturers get bike parts made in India itself. However, the latest designs and styles are quite similar to the ones which are manufactured internationally. Bikes which are made in India are especially designed for the Indian roads and have indicators that show increase mileage and maximum throttle. There are many different types of bikes that you can find on the Indian roads. You can find sports bikes, E-bikes, economy bikes and bikes that are suitable for all age groups.

You can find detailed information on different types of Indian bikes on a number of websites. With various types of bikes available on the Indian market, the two-wheeler industry has something to suit every individual’s taste. With leading bike manufacturers such as Bajaj, Hero Honda and Yamaha, the main concern is to provide comfortable and efficient bikes. You can find a lot of information about bike manufacturers, latest bikes launched and their features just be searching on the internet. Moreover, you can also compare different models along with their prices and specifications.

With a constant growth in the economy, a large number of people including women are turning to bikes. People who own cars are also purchasing bikes as it helps them move quickly on congested roads. Middle class families in India are able to afford a bike today as this option is economical, cost-effective and fuel-efficient. Manufacturers of bikes in India are in constant competition to launch the next best bike and many of them have been successful in doing so. With the introduction of innovative features and special technology, the Indian two-wheeler market potential has increased even further.

Since its inception in 1945, M&M has been serving the automotive needs of its Indian customers. M&M earlier stood for Mahindra and Mohammed. This name later got changed to Mahindra and Mahindra after India won independence and Pakistan became a separate nation. Mohammed moved to Pakistan and became the Finance Minister of the new nation while Mahindra managed the company’s empire in India. It was in 1948 that the company’s name got changed to Mahindra and Mahindra from Mahindra and Mohammed. In the beginning, Mahindra was known only for its commercial vehicles. But gradually, the car maker started operations in the passenger car segment as well. Let’s have a look at the Mahindra new cars in India.

Forming a joint venture with the Indian car Maker Mahindra, French automotive major Renault brought in the Mahindra Logan car. The car seems to be just perfect for the Indian roads. It has a relatively high ground clearance which lets it slide through quite easily on the humpy bumpy roads in India. This new car from Mahindra’s stable is spacious too with enough space to accommodate the entire Indian family. Also, the Logan has become very popular as a taxi or a passenger carrier in India. With enough boot space, this made-for-India car is ideal for airport transfers too.

Recently, the global leader in electric car manufacture joined Mahindra. Mahindra, an Indian based automotive giant joined hands with the Bangalore (in India) based Reva after buying majority stakes of 55.2 per cent in the electric car company. The famous electric car, Reva, is now known as the Mahindra Reva car. The joint venture will help Mahindra strengthen its position in the low-emission electric car market. Mahindra also looks at expanding its green footprints in India with the help of Reva and India will thus see more green cars coming in from the joint venture.

Apart from the Logan and the Reva, Mahindra also has a strong foothold on India’s SUV segment. It has the Mahindra Bolero car which has captured the hearts of Indian off-road car enthusiasts. It is one of the best fuel-economic cars in India. With its macho looks, this Mahindra new car in India has easily found a place in the Indian hearts as well. Next, Mahindra has also introduced the Scorpio. This car again, like the Bolero, has been a leader in the SUV segment. But, the car’s sophisticated looks redefine the expectations for the design of SUVs. This car is a true wonder.

After tasting success on Indian soil for so long, Mahindra also has plans of launching the Mahindra Ingenio. This car will be brought in to pose as a rival to the Toyota Innova and the Chevrolet Tavera. The launch has been postponed for now, but may enter India any time.

The seventh largest country of the world, Its huge size and geographical diversity sometimes creates problems for the visitors. They get confused as to how and from where explore the country. For such tourists, monument tours of India proves to be a rather good option.

India, with its rich history covering a period of more than 5000 years, boasts of several fascinating monuments that represent various dynasties, cultures, religions and eras. These monuments that depict the rich heritage and historical past of India are wonderful and real epitomes of Indian culture, heritage and civilization.

For the sake of convenience, the various monuments of the country are categorized here under these two key heads – religious & spiritual monuments, and colonial monuments.

Religious & Spiritual monuments

Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh), Jain Shrines (Dilwara), Jagannath Temple (Puri), Sun Temple (Konark), Kailasnath Temple (Ellora), Qutub Minar and Jama Maszid (Delhi) are some of the main religious and spiritual monuments of India.

Taj Mahal is the most famous monument in this category. This exceptionally beautiful white monument, made in marble and precious stones, reflect the Mughal architecture at its best. Made by the famous Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan – for his beloved queen Mumtaj Mahal – Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Colonial Monuments

India remained under colonial rule for more than 350 years. The British, the French, the Portuguese, besides the Dutch and the Danes, ruled over India or at least a part of it, at one or the other time during this period. Even though most of them did not really make India their home (except the British), and badly plundered the country making India a poor nation, they – especially the British – gave India some of the most beautiful monuments.

The British made beautiful buildings and administrative centres at several places throughout the country – particularly at Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Patna – employing different styles of architectures, such as Gothic, Imperial, Christian, and Victorian. The architectural brilliance and symmetrical beauty of these amazing monuments even now dazzle people. Rajabai Tower (Mumbai), Victoria Memorial (Kolkata), Law Courts (Chennai)…these are just some of the many magnificent monuments that are the legacy of the British Empire.

Indian wooden furniture is available for a wide range of furnishings. You can use furnish your living room, your dining room and even your bed room with furniture made in India. Along with residential furniture, wooden furniture made in India is perfect for commercial purposes, like shop furniture and office furniture. When it comes to decorating living room, Indian wooden furniture offers a wide range of furniture that is bound to fit all budgets and tastes. Whether you have an apartment or a bungalow, wooden furniture from India is available for kinds of premises. Here is some furniture from India that can be used to furnish the living room:

Diwan: The Diwan is one of the most antique and classy furniture that evolved in India. The diwan is basically the Indian sofa, and a wide range of Indian wooden diwans is available. The name diwan is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Diwan’, which was used to denote the profession of a minister or an accountant. Since such sofas were mostly found in their offices, the name has stuck. You can either decide on an intricately designed, antique diwan with a retro and Old India look, or you can choose the more modern and stylish diwans that are available today.

Center Tables: Center tables add a touch of class and beauty to the furnishing of a room. Center tables are especially useful for rooms that are large and spacious. A complete diwan and center table set will make the room look beautiful. There are several center tables that compliment diwans. You can either order a complete room furniture set or you can mix and match different types of furniture to come up with a design that suits your room the best.

Side Tables: Along with center tables, side tables are a thoughtful addition. Side tables can be used to set up decorations or even used as a storage area. There are several types of side tables available today. These side tables can be used for either large lior small living rooms.

Using Indian furniture for decorating living room is a very good idea. Indian wooden furniture is prepared by experienced and talented artisans, who create a perfect symphony of form and factor. The furniture is very durable and at the same time adds style to the room.

Introduction

Khadi is an Indian fabric. Khadi is also known by another name ‘Khaddar’. It is made by spinning the threads on an instrument known as ‘Charkha’. During pre-independence era the movement of khadi manufacturing gained momentum under the guidance of father of nation Mahatma Gandhiji. This movement of khadi manufacturing and wearing started as to discourage the Indians from wearing of foreign clothes.

Khadi before independence was considered as the fabric for the political leaders and the rural people. But now it has found its way into the wardrobe of fashion conscious people. The current situation is that the demand is more than the supply. Earlier the type of khadi available was khadi cotton which had very coarse texture and feel. However many varieties of khadi like khadi silk, khadi wool and khadi cotton are available now, which makes it a fashionable fabric and likeable by the masses.

Its concept was developed by Mahatma Gandhi. It was a symbol for political agendas during the fight for independence in India against the British rule. It was primarily a means to provide employment to the unemployed rural population of India at that time. The Indian flag has to be also made from khadi material. Thus it holds national importance, we could even call it the national fabric of India.

Overview

Khadi is a versatile fabric. It has the unique property of keeping the wearer warm in winter as well as cool in summer season. This fabric has coarse texture and gets easily crumpled, therefore in order to keep it firm and stiff, starch is to be added. This fabric on washing is more enhanced thus the more you wash it, better the look. Khadi is not easily worn out for years together, at least for 4-5 years. Very attractive and designer apparel are made by doing handwork on them garments made from it. Khadi spinning is generally done by girls and women and weaving mostly by men. During spinning of khadi the threads are interwoven in such a manner that it provides passage of air circulation in the fabric. Apart from this unique property, it also provides warmth in winter season which is quite surprising factor.

Khadi cotton is required to be starched so that it does not get easily crumpled. It comes in many colors and is not harmful to the skin as synthetic fabrics. This cotton is very soothing in summer season as ample amount of air ventilation is there, it has the capacity to absorb moisture therefore it easily soaks the sweat and keeps the wearer cool and dry. Khadi cotton comes in plain as well as in printed fabrics. The most common outfit of made from khadi cotton is the’Kurta’. Many types of apparel are manufactured from khadi cotton like saris, salwar suits, fabric yarns, western tops, shirts, trousers, skirts, handkerchief,etc. It is a very durable fabric.

In khadi silk, the ratio of khadi and silk fabric is 50:50. This fabric requires dry cleaning. It shrinks about 3% after the first wash. It is quite an expensive fabric. Khadi silk provides a royal and rich look. The various types of apparels made from khadi silk are salwar kameez, kurta pajama, saris, dupattas, shirts, vest and jackets. Apparels like kurta, jacket, sari blouses requires lining to be given to ensure its longetivity.

Previously khadi was dyed in earthy color tones and was used to make traditional garments but now designers are experimenting by dyeing khadi with striking colors like limegreen, violet, baby pink, turquoise blue, etc. Stylish garments like mini skirts, halter neck tops, racer tops, tunics, etc are made from khadi.

Khadi is hand woven and hand spun fabric which takes time to be made. It is mainly manufactured in rural areas of India. In previous times it was considered as the fabric for the poor rural workers & farmers. But wearing khadi is no more for the poor, many high profile personalities and economically sound people prefer to wear it. It is considered as one of the most beautiful Indian fabric. The khadi wearer gets a royal and distinguishable look due to its fall and style. It symbolizes luxury and uniqueness.

Government Policies

Khadi and village industries commission’ is the Indian government body which promotes the usage of khadi. Khadi production and selling comes under the small scale industry sector. This government body was created by an act which was passed by the Parliament. This gave a boost to the khadi manufacturing sector of India, as a result many new outlets of khadi gramodyog opened all over the country. These shops sell stitched as well as unstitched khadi fabrics. Every year starting from the date- 3rd October to January 29th all khadi gramodyog bhavans provide discount to the public on various khadi products. It comes under the category of Indian handloom. This sector also generates employment for the rural population of India. Indian government conducts various exhibitions and trade fairs in India and abroad to promote this fabric.

The small scale industries engaged in manufacturing of khadi gets economic redemption for the raw materials and production costs by Indian government. According to a recent survey done it provides employment to 14.97 lakhs of people, the total annual production of khadi is 111.49 million sq. mtrs.

Khadi over the decades has moved from a freedom fighter’s identity fabric to a fashion garment. Today there is such an increasing demand for khadi that despite of the thousands of workers involved in spinning and producing khadi fabric, the demand of the market does not gets fulfilled.

Conclusion

Khadi has gained worldwide appreciation as it is hand made, durable, long lasting and organic in nature. The fabric is produced by the masses for the masses. It is associated with Gandhian philosophy as well as makes a fashion statement. Through the medium of khadi weaving, the weaver expresses art and designing by the spindle and loom. It is widely accepted in the Indian fashion circle. Leading fashion designers now include it in their collection by designing clothes with khadi material. There is huge demand of it in international market, especially in western countries.

Jewelry styles in India are as varied as the regions, people and their culture. Jewelry-making is considered an art form, passed down through generations of artisans or karigars. These days, classical Indian styles are seeing a comeback with brand names houses and prominent designers heavily reviving and endorsing them.

Here is a look at some of the most famous regional styles of jewelry in India. There are probably many more exclusively regional styles, but these are well known all over India.

From Delhi

Mughal: This style of jewelry was brought to India by the Mughals and never went out of fashion. It is extremely ornate with a focus on elaborate designs heavily inspired by nature. Common motifs include flowers, leaves, vines, ambi (mango), birds, etc. Mughal style jewelry usually employs Jadau work, so these styles go hand in hand.

From Rajasthan

Kundan Jadau: This is a style of embossing or encrusting gemstones, usually kundan (a semi-opaque crystal) in the surrounding metal leaf. As mentioned above, this work is a part of the Mughal style of jewelry and is now a specialty of Jaipur artisans.

Meenakari: Another Rajasthani specialty, Meenakari is the art of enameling or fusing metal with different colored lacquers, usually red, blue or green.

Theva: This is a rare art, being revived by prominent Indian designers, in which gold is enameled onto glass. Red, blue or green foil below the glass highlights the gold for an exquisite look.

From Gujarat

Gheru: The Gheru style of Baroda is to give jewelry a beautiful dull red copper finish.

Pachchikam: A Gujarati specialty for generations, Pachchikam style involves holding together uncut semi-precious stones and glasswork by tiny metal claws (as opposed to the Kundan Jadau style of embedding or encrusting).

Polki: Gujarat jewelry made of uncut diamonds.

From Bengal

Filigree: A style in which patterns and designs are made with twisting thin silver wires. Also done in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Navrattan: Traditional Bengali style jewelry comprised of nine gemstones – ruby, emerald, sapphire, cat’s eye, coral, turquoise, pearl, opal and diamond.

From Tamil Nadu

Temple: Temple jewelry, a specialty of Nagercoil in South India, is elaborate chunky jewelry comprised of 22 karat gold and precious stones. This jewelry was traditionally made to adorn the idols of gods and goddesses in temples (hence, the name), and is now worn by Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancers. The designs and motifs are nature inspired.

Ever since its inception, Maruti Suzuki has been the favourite among the Indian crowd. This is one car maker that develops India-specific cars; cars that are made in India, made for India, keeping in mind India’s unique terrain and temperatures. Interestingly, the out of every two cars that roll out in India, one wears the Maruti Suzuki badge. Unfortunately, the new emission norms that kicked in pushed out India’s iconic Maruti 800 out of 13 cities. Times are changing and some cars have to leave, but Maruti will remain as India’s most popular car maker. In this article let’s have a look at the auto maker’s cars in the country.

First the 800 which actually put India on wheels; the Government of India and Suzuki Motors, Japan joined hands and assembled the car with imported parts. With time, the car gained popularity and production became localised. A true value-for-money car, the M800 has undergone many changes to meet the changing needs of the Indian.

Coming to the A-Star, it is the first global car hailing from the hatchback segment to be produced exclusively in India. This car, strapped with the new KB Series engine complies with all the emission norms. It comes with the Penta Drive, 5 world class features. The car gives an excellent mileage even on the rough Indian roads.

Next the Maruti Alto, which is India’s highest selling model. Of late, the Alto underwent a few cosmetic changes. The interiors were enhanced and the Maruti car received a new athletic grille and wider bumper which was very much needed to attract the young India even more than earlier.

The Eeco is an MPV that offers advanced riding comfort, stability and handling. In spite of such roominess and advanced features, the Eeco comes into the Indian market with a very humble price that seems affordable to most. This is one of the Maruti cars in India that can accommodate even fat Indian families with ease.

A wonderful blend of style and urban character comes alive in the Maruti Estilo. The stiffened suspensions system is also just perfect for cornering on the rather pathetic roads in India. There’s no doubt that the Zen Estilo is a smart, elegant and contemporary car.

The Grand Vitara is grand; comes loaded with power and style to attract both young and old Indians. The 2.4-litre VVT petrol engine in this Maruti car expels 163 bhp. With plenty of safety features, one can be assured of a safe ride even on the roller coaster like roads in India.

The Gypsy is another Maruti car in India that is tough enough with an equally potent engine that’s ready to take on any Indian territory without compromising on performance. The 1.3-litre MPFI petrol engine stirs up 80 bhp.

Maruti also has other splendid offerings for the Indian car buyer like the muscular WagonR, the truly Indian Omni, the sophisticated Ritz, the perfect mid-size sedan SX4, the graceful and stylish Swift and the enhanced Swift DZire.

1. Lighting can make or break a room. Investing in lower-wattage bulbs can change the look of a room from restful to romantic.

2. Check out remnant tables at your local fabric stores. Remnants are perfect for recovering pillows, banding drapes and other sewing projects around the house. They are usually 1/3 of the price and look just as good.
learn more… Indian handicrafts exporter

3. Don’t forget about greenery. Having plants in any room makes you feel more alive. Simple green foliage often lasts longer than flowers, and the overall design of a single leaf can make more of a striking effect. Try a single palm leaf or a slender flax in a giant vase. It has simple yet modern appeal. In your kitchen, add a small herb garden to your windowsill to add life to the room. Plus, they taste great!

4. Focus on your floors. Just like walls, floors need your attention, too. If you are able to completely change the surface, consider resanding or staining wood floors, or replacing old linoleum or carpet with tile. For a quick fix, add a floor rug. There are so many options, making it easy to find the perfect style, shape and color for your space. By making your floors stand out, your walls can only look better.

5. Storage, storage and more storage. Living in small spaces presents two options, building up or building under. Consider using bookshelves that go all the way to the ceiling for a more dramatic effect, or take advantage of the space underneath your bed to store things you’d love to keep out of sight.

6. Fabric is just one easy and inexpensive way to combine all the elements in your room together. Have fun by combining patterns, styles and different textures of fabric.

7. Fake architectural detail. This can be done in a variety of ways. My faves are to use painter’s tape or molding. With painter’s tape you can create horizontal or vertical lines, which can make the room look bigger. You can also make shapes like rectangles and squares, creating a box on the wall for framing out furniture, sconces or your favorite picture. With moldings you can give the illusion of added depth and dimension to the walls. Like painter’s tape, making a small box with molding can create a look that’s certainly classic.

8. Anchor your room by investing your money in substantial furniture pieces you can work around. Buying a timeless sofa or kitchen table will save you money as your style changes.

9. Consider simple fixes before you get rid of something. Inexpensive solutions: Bring life back to leather furniture with a little olive oil; make your kitchen chairs new again with a little spray paint and some fabric; get the scratches out of your wood floor and furniture by rubbing them with an almond.

10. Don’t underestimate the Internet! There are so many great deals for every room in your home. After all, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!