Jaipur Crafts That Enrich Our Lives | Jaipur Beat

Capital of Rajasthan – Jaipur is known worldwide as Pink City and is famous for its iconic fort, palaces, food, hospitality, people, shopping and not to miss handicrafts. This cultural center of the state not only amazes and enriches its locals every day but tourists from the world over too. The handicrafts of the city truly signify the culture and the essence this city is known for. Let’s have a look at the crafts of Jaipur that truly is a delight and enriches our lives-

Blue Pottery: Blue pottery tops the lists of handicrafts and especially when it’s about carrying souvenirs. Whether you want to accessorize your little corner with a vase or accentuate your wall with hanging plates, these Turko-Persian blue potteries of Jaipur are one-stop-shop for you. The blue color which is used to die the pottery is eye catching and name blue pottery comes from the dye blue color only. Some of the potteries are semi-transparent and are beautifully decorated animals and birds are made on it.
Where to buy: Though there are many shops in different parts of the city but the show rooms at Amer Road offers a wide variety.

Puppets – that showcase the real culture of Rajasthan

Puppets: Found hanging in the busy markets of the walled city or inside a traditional set-up with a live puppet show on, these Rajasthani puppets are one of the most inexpensive gifts to carry along. These are made with painted wooden heads, draped with dresses made from sequined old fabrics and stuffing rags in them. With a typical representation of a Rajasthani man and woman, these puppets have a distinctive style that is difficult to pass by. If you are a visitor or even a local, stopping by to see puppet show could be one of the most refreshing cultural things to do when in Jaipur and Rajasthan.
Where to buy: Visit the market around Hawa Mahal or Link Road 

 

Carpet in making

Carpets: Known for the finest hand-made rugs, mats and carpets, Jaipur is the hub for all your carpet desires. From rich colour patterns, motifs, sizes to material – wool, silk or cotton, there is a carpet for every need and for every room of your home. These are generally hand-knotted woolen products and have a great resemblance with the Persian Carpets.
Where to buy: Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur Rugs

Jewellery: Known as the hub of folk, metal, gold and gemstone jewellery, Jaipur is all things jewels. Whether it is working with precious metals like silver, gold and diamond or doing meenakari, jadau and kundan artworks, one can find the most stunning jewellery pieces in town. Also, Jaipur is the world’s largest gem cutting center welcoming tourists – national and international. Every year the city hosts two big jewellery shows- Jaipur Jewellery Show and Jewellers Association Show where visitors and traders from all over the world come.
Where to buy: Johari Bazaar, JJS & JAS

 

Matching juttis to suit all your ethnic wear

Juttis: Better known as jootis or mojadis, juttis are a must-buy when in Jaipur. Even as a local, every household will have a pair of this traditional juttis for they are best suited under ethnic wear. Made from camel leather and embellished with stones and embroidery, these are colorful and hand-made by local artisans for whom it’s a way of their livelihood.
Where to buy: Hawa Mahal and Link Road

Other crafts that attract visitors and offer a livelihood to its people are Jaipuri quilt, block prints, bandhej and leheriya sarees, sanganeri and bagru print stuff, marble items, wooden furniture, gemstones, lac bangles and paintings. Stay tuned to this page for we are going to soon come out with more information about these. Until then, if you want to shop for the soul of Jaipur, shop for its crafts!

 

7 Things Not To Miss When Shopping In Jaipur’s Nehru And Bapu Bazaar

The name of Rajasthan brings in our mind the rich culture, the vibrant and colorful attires, the magnificent and graceful handicrafts and so on. With time, a lot has changed; the land of culture has slightly moved towards westernization. But to keep the very soul of the Lands of Maharajas alive, we have its markets which never fail to slake our thirst for the true essence of Rajasthan.

Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar are two such markets of the Pink City, Jaipur. These markets (located within the walled city) are a perfect amalgamation of typical Rajasthani products and a slight touch of Indo-western. They are swathed in a cultural charm, and also offer numerous souvenirs to take for your kith and kin. These vibrant markets are always filled with shopaholics and are famous for offering you everything quintessentially Rajasthani.

We are giving you a list of things to check out at Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar.

• Mojaris

Walking down the corridors of either of the markets, you will often stumble upon craftsmen with their dye covered hands, with somewhat eclectic and vintage footwear lined up by their side. There are several shops offering Rajasthani Mojari or Jutis, in these markets.  The vibrant colors and traditional patterns often tempt people to buy a few pairs rather than just one. Among these, the shops that stand above the rest are Tourist Shoes and Famous Nagra Shoes.

• Artificial jewellery

The bustling markets have an immense collection of artificial jewelry.  Innumerable shops of both, Bapu Bazar and Nehru Bazar are lined up with ethnic neck pieces, jhumkis, lac bangles, anklets, sequined necklaces and what not. The finish of these pieces is so good that you can’t differentiate from the real. So, grab the best trinkets and accessories ASAP!

• Clothes

Whatever you buy or leave behind, we believe picking a dress is essential if you are here. Highly alluring Rajasthani Bandhej or tie and die, Leheriya, Sanganeri Prints and Batik Prints with radiant mirror work, dazzling gota-patti work and intricate embroidery patterns are all enticingly displayed here. These shops are literally overflowing with breathtakingly beautiful prints of Jaipur, and chances are you will end up with your hands full of shopping bags by the time you decide to head home.

• Jaipuri Razaiyan (quilts)

The Jaipuri quilts are made up of cotton fabric and are sown with a light thread. These razaiyan are exquisite with hand block prints and are light weight, comfortable and extremely efficient in keeping you warm on a cold winter night. Nowadays though, there are polyfibre razaiyans also, so better ask the shopkeeper so you know what you are getting. These quilts are amongst most popular choices that people take back as gifts for their loved ones.

• Showpieces, decorative items and other handicrafts

Then there are these vendors throughout the markets who sell wares on the covered pavement. As you walk down, these small merchants call out and try to sell you mini- artefacts, baubles, hair accessories, artificial jewellery, lac pens, mirror worked pen stands, keychains, etc. And before you know it , you buy a few pieces, saying just because….

• Puppets on a string

These are traditional Rajasthani art. There are a number of people selling puppets while simply strolling in the markets. These vibrantly colored puppets are also great takeaways for some people.

• Flavors of food

The seemingly casual bazaar trip becomes a tad tiring what with all your shopping bags and gentle rumble in your stomach. There aren’t many eateries here, but there is mouth water-watering chat available at almost the end of the entire Bazar. You could dig into Faluda Kulfi  at Indian Ice Cream and the super famous Guddu Ki Softy. On the other hand, if you are close to Link Road, the Cholle Wala Samosa is a must have treat.

One very pertinent tip about shopping in these markets is that you must bargain about the prices. Shopping here without bargaining is truly letting them fleece you completely.

The next time you are in Jaipur, we strongly recommend you to pay these markets a visit for some authentic Rajasthani stuff to take back home and flaunt.

Happy Shopping 🙂

 

Content and pictures by interns at Jaipur Beat.

Edited by team Jaipur Beat.

 

10 Things To Do At JLF 2016 Apart From Literature

The most awaited event of the year and which also marks the colorful start of the new year 2016 – Jaipur Literature Festival is finally here ! Although ‘Literature’ is the quintessence of the name as well as the festival, but just in case you are not a vehement literature enthusiast, we must tell you that there are a lot more things in store for you at JLF 2016.

1. FashionIt’s no news that it’s one thing to get up, dress up and go to work/college/school, and it’s one thing to get up and get dressed to attend JLF, because ‘what if you run into some chic batch mate or a judgmental colleague there?’ So watch out for some people setting the fashion trends for 2016 and you dress your best at JLF 😉
2. FoodWhen you enter Durbar Hall, starting from scrumptious looking bakeries to Chai & snacks, you name a dish and you will find it at JLF, and that too in a wide variety ! If you are a new venture, make sure to have your stall at JLF next year as there is no better place to come into notice like this.
   

   
3. MusicMusic is another thing which has come up excellently as a separate event at JLF for which the music aficionados fly from various places to Jaipur just to listen  to their favorite genres of the melodious music festival.
4. Rajasthani CultureEach year, a new theme marks the onset of JLF and the ambiance which is splattering with hues and jollity, every year finds some innovative ways and elements to fill up the visitors with awe and locals with pride for the vivid culture of Rajasthan.
5. ShoppingWith JLF’s official merchandise store selling interesting things like their own mugs with the quotes of this year’s speakers, handmade notebooks, t-shirts, bookmarks, scarves etc and giving them away in the recycled newspaper bags, there is a lot to look forward to for a shopaholic and a souvenir lover to remember JLF by. Apart from these, you will find really good books and Rajasthani kurtis, jootis, postcards etc.
6. SelfiesWe know you don’t need to read this blog to know about this extra luxury 😉 With the beautiful decorations and backdrops, your selfie mania will see a jovial boost at JLF 2016 😉
7. NetworkingDiggi Palace being a not so huge venue for JLF, there are very high chances that you might run into old friends, new friends, colleagues and even speakers for that matter. So rekindle bonds and probably find someone to have a healthy discussion with 🙂
    
8. Diggipuri ChaiDid you know that Diggipuri chai at JLF at Diggi Palace is one of the major attractions at JLF ? No? Then try it this time and you will know why 😀
9. Ride in colourful autosThe colorful autos with intriguing designs oozing the vibrant Rajasthani culture are standing right outside the venue to make your experience at the over crowded JLF easier 🙂
10. PhotographyWhen all the above points are present in one place, no photographer can even think of missing to click such a melange of beautiful things, not forgetting the portraits of visitors and speakers in action 🙂
    

    

    So pick up your bag and visit JLF !! 😀