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Craft The
Colours of Life The crafts of Kashi are a
reflection of its many-hued culture. The
life and work of the craftsmen of Kashi are
deeply entwined with the socal and 'Commerce
had as many pilgrims as religion. All afontj (he shores of the ucncruble
stream lay great fleets of vessels laden with rich merchandise. From the
looms of Benaras went forth the most delicate silks that adorned the
ballrooms of St James and of Versailles............'
Pottery Archaeological
excavations at Raj Ghat have proved that
Pottery was .1 fine local skill even in the time of the ancient aryans.
The local potter will tell vou that dav
trim. banks Wooden Toys The
wooden toys of Varanasi have always been popular with
pilgrims and travellers. Traditional Paintings kashi has a vibrant tradition of miniature and folk painting and, even today, the outer walls and doorways of houses are covered with eye-catching paintings, while murals decorate interiors. For the people, the kumbha or the folk painter is a part of their family festivities. The painters decorate houses before festivals and weddings with auspicious motifs like fish, parrots, peacocks and banana trees. These artists also paint the kohbar or the marriage chamber, which is ritually decorated with auspicious signs and symbols, as well as narrative murals. Other Crafts The animated, brightly-coloured papier mache masks of Hindu deities like Hanuman, Garuda and Ravana worn by Ram Leela actors all over the country are also typical of Kashi. The bamboo umbrellas that give the varanasi ghats their distinctive character are made by the local bamboo craftsmen who also make and sell baskets boxes bird cages, mats and toy bows and arrows that are avilable in shops Dasashwamedh Ghat. the artisans working with bell metal, copper and brass, the kesaras and thatheras. traditionally operate from the Thatheri Gali. Brass and bell metalare can be seen stacked in glowing rows m the main bazaars especially in Vishwanath Gali
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religious life of the city. On
auspicious days and on festivals, toy -makers, basket weavers and
metal-workers all sot up colourful stalls in the city. At
these impromptu melas or fairs, you will find a tempting range ot items
made of terracotta, wood and paper. With them, you will also find lively
papiei machc masks, household articles in metal and many. many decorative
items. Kashi's traditional crafts are all made from rreeh available local
material and are all environment-friendly
of the Ganga is- ideal
earthenware. There is a popular belief that potters from
here should not be bought