Handicraft business thriving in Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh apart from boasting of a rich cultural heritage, also boasts of arts and handicrafts.Sultan Muhammad Quly Qutb Shah who was the founder of Hyderabad was a very learned man— poet, supporter of arts and a scholar—who played a major role in the development of the city by patronizing arts and developing the cultural heritage of the city, that his successors kept alive.

During his time, the city flourished as a trade center for pearls, diamonds, horses etc. Hyderabad today, has influences of more than one culture; we have an amalgamation of Persian, Arab, Turkish and Indian cultures that is evident in our arts and crafts. We shall have a look at some of the handicrafts and work of art that Hyderabad is famous for.

Bidri work is a form of art that Hyderabad is very famous for. It comprises black gun metal inlaid with  fine silver metallic wire in geometric and floral designs. Various utility items in the forms of jewelry, boxes, hookahs, paper cutters, etc. are made. Hyderabad is also famous for its pearls. In Chandanpet—a village outside Hyderabad—almost the entire village is engaged in drilling pearls. Various colored pearls are made available for sale and visitors from all over India buy these quality gemstones. The white pearls however, are most renowned.  

Brass articles of AP too are very popular and visitors flock handicrafts store to buy these moderately-priced brass sculptures. Apart from these, AP is a hub for wood carvings. Apart from carving idols of mythological characters, elegant carvings are done for utility items like pen holders and bangles that make them really famous. On the other hand, doors and different kinds of furniture is carved too that make them a complete domestic product at an affordable price.

Cheriyal scroll paintings are folk paintings that are done on cloth with a range of colors. They have depictions of scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are sometimes also done on plywood, paper or cardboard. Kalamkari paintings are another type that are well-known amongst enthusiasts. The paintings are done on cotton fabric with a pen—a pierced bamboo through which color flows. The colors used for these paintings are vegetable dyes. These depict mythological characters.   

Hyderabad has always been an ethnically rich city because of the presence of different cultures. But slowly, it has developed as a multi-faceted city with much to pride on.

Kritika@sakshipost