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Special Shopping Destinations:
Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Raichur (Karnataka), Chanda (Madhya Pradesh),
Bikaner.(Rajasthan), Santiniketan (West Bengal)
Leather craft in India is since time immemorial.The
antiquity of the leather craft is reflected in the early use of
tiger and deer hide as mats by the rishis and holymen during 3000
BC. The kings and warriors used leather for the making of artistic
sheaths for swords. Since then the craft developed gradually with
man's needs and creativity.
Foot wear displays the most prolific leather craft
which is made famous by the skills of the rural cobblers who display
an unmatched skill through their range of slippers and shoes including
the coarse, tough slippers with thick-layered soles for the peasantry,
shoes ornate with traditional embroidery for local middle class
and western style shoes for urban population. Among the most famous
leather craft is footwear with simple Gujarati district.
The tradition of embroidery, applique and painting
makes leather craft highly attractive and the most desired. Some
of the notable decorative leathers of India include the black leather
of Hoshiarpur (Punjab) with multi-hued applique work and leather
with metallic gold or silvery finish of Raichur (Karnataka), usually
painted with epic scenes; and red leather of Chanda (Madhya Pradesh)
with gold embroidery and silk applique work.
Bridegroom will not get married without the range
of traditional Rajasthani footwear, known as 'Mojdis' displaying
colourful silk and metal embroidery and beautiful applique designs
in differently coloured leather pieces. Some of these for fashion
conscious people are also done up in decorative textiles like brocade
Mojdis are highly popular among tourists to Rajasthan. 'Mojdis'
of Jaipur are different from any other place and are famous for
their soft shades and delicate designs unlike those of Jodhpur,
which display bolder colours and virile patterns. Among other embroidered
leather work are handbags of Kashmir, knucklepads and ornate saddles
for camels & horses of Bikaner.
India is home to some of the most unique leather
items like 'kopi' - an interestingly designed water bottle with
carved wooden stoppers, usually made from camel hide in Bikaner,
besides 'hukka' bowls, oil bottles and 'pidis' - the raised leather
seats. Indian leather craft popular in the international market
includes the much in-vogue leather garments and exquisite ladies
handbags of Santiniketan (West Bengal), designed in batik style
with bold curves and traditional motifs.
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