Handicrafts of Maharashtra

Handicrafts of Maharashtra have prospered from the ancient times and under several rulers that ruled India, including the Mughals, the Marathas and the British. The ancient paintings of the Ajanta's and the contemporary Warli paintings, showcase Maharashtra's intimate ties with art and handicrafts. Handicrafts of Maharashtra include Bidri Ware, Sawantwadi Crafts, Paithani Saris, Kolhapuri Chappals, Warli Paintings, and Narayan Peth.

Bidri Ware is one of the prominent Handicrafts of Maharashtra. It is one of the oldest craft in Maharashtra and originates in Aurangabad. Bidri Ware uses copper and zinc as crude materials. This handicraft portrays intricate skills of the artist's use of virgin silver embossed, ornamented or covered on the surface of the metal. In older times, it was used as “paan daans” or “hookas”. Now, these items are used as mementos.

Another noted Handicrafts of Maharashtra is Paithani Saris. There is a belief that the craft of weaving the sari is almost 2000 years old. Pure silk and gold threads are used while making the sari. A striking feature of the sari is that it takes somewhere between six months to a year to weave one sari. The other handicrafts are equally engrossing.