DIRECT CREATE • OFFICIAL CRAFT DIRECTORY

Explore and Learn Traditional Crafts of India

A celebration of tradition, the reach of innovation, and the spirit of collaboration. Authenticated provenance, verified lineages, and documentation for master crafts across every state of India.

16 Documented Crafts
8+ Heritage States
100% GI & Verified
Apa Tani Textiles & Weaving GI Application Registered
Ziro valley

Apa Tani

Apa Taani weave, often referred to as Tanii ajü or Tanii Aju, is named after the tribe from the Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh practising textile weaving within the settlement.

Material: Organic Cotton, Natural Vegetable Dyes Origin: Arunachal Pradesh
Moonj Basketry of Eastern Uttarpradesh Grass & Natural Fibers GI Protected (Prayagraj)
EAST UTTAR PRADESH

Moonj Basketry of Eastern Uttarpradesh

The art of making Moonj Baskets have a history that dates back to almost a century in Prayagraj ( Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh). The craft gets its name from the Moonj and Kaasa grass - wild grasses that abundantly grow near the banks of the river Yamuna and Ganga and in and around the vast areas of Prayagraj. These wild grasses are harvested by hand and then skillfully processed to be woven into exquisite baskets.

Material: Moonj & Kaasa wild river grass Origin: Uttar Pradesh
Pula chappal Leather & Footwear Himachal Heritage Craft
Himachal Pradesh

Pula chappal

Pula chappal "पुला" is a traditional Indian craft from Himachal Pradesh, where artisans hand-weave durable slippers from hemp and wool to create eco-friendly, warm footwear suited for the Himalayan climate. This craft reflects the region’s resourcefulness and cultural heritage, with each pair made using time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

Material: Wild Hemp fiber, wool yarn, Bhang grass Origin: Himachal Pradesh
Bone Carving Carving & Sculpture GI Protected (Lucknow)
Lucknow

Bone Carving

Artisans in Uttar Pradesh turn discarded animal bones into detailed ornaments and practical items using time-honored methods. The bone carving "हड्डी की नक्काशी" traditional Indian craft preserves a rich heritage while adapting to modern styles and needs.

Material: Ethically sourced naturally fallen camel/buffalo bone Origin: Uttar Pradesh
Horn carving Carving & Sculpture Kerala State Heritage Seal
Kerela

Horn carving

Horn carving is a traditional Indian craft where artisans transform animal horns into intricate decorative and utility objects using skilled manual techniques

Material: Buffalo horn, natural lac, sandalwood oil Origin: Kerala
Kundan jadai Metal & Jewelry GI Protected (Jaipur)
RAJASTHAN

Kundan jadai

The art of embedding precious jewels and metals into the surface of objects is known as Kundan Jadai (gem setting) work.

Material: 24k Hyper-refined Gold foil, Polki diamonds, emeralds Origin: Rajasthan
Meenakari Metal & Jewelry GI Protected (Jaipur)
RAJASTHAN

Meenakari

The art of Meenakari, or Meena Kari or Mina Kari is an art of painting or embellishing various types of metals with bright colours in dramatic motifs of birds, flowers and leaves.

Material: Gold, silver, vitreous enamel minerals Origin: Rajasthan
Kolhapuri chappal Leather & Footwear GI Protected (Kolhapur & Karnataka)
Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Kolhapuri chappal

Kolhapuri chappal (कोल्हापुरी चप्पल) is a traditional handmade leather sandal from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, crafted by local artisan communities using vegetable-tanned leather and distinctive handwork techniques. Known for their durability and unique designs, these chappals remain an iconic symbol of Indian footwear heritage.

Material: Vegetable-tanned bagda leather, babul bark extract Origin: Maharashtra
Tholu bommalata, Leather puppets Leather & Footwear GI Protected (Nimmalakunta, AP)
ANDHRA PRADESH

Tholu bommalata, Leather puppets

Andhra Pradesh’s famous leather puppets are large in their make, and made from translucent goat skin.

Material: Translucent cured parchment goat hide, vegetable dyes Origin: Andhra Pradesh
Mojari Leather & Footwear GI Protected (Jodhpur & Jaipur)
RAJASTHAN

Mojari

Rajasthan has a rich, and long practice of leather crafts. Each rural community had its own families of leather workers.

Material: Full-grain leather, silk zardozi, brass wire tilla Origin: Rajasthan
Aranmula Kannadi Metal & Jewelry GI Protected (Aranmula, Kerala)
Aranula, kerala

Aranmula Kannadi

Aranmula Kannadi (ആറന്മുളക്കണ്ണാടി), a Malayalam term, refers to the Aranmula metal alloy mirror made by hand in Aranmula, a small settlement in the state of Kerala. Unlike the common silvered glass mirrors, this is a metal alloy mirror or front plane reflection mirror, which does away with any secondary reflections or irregularities typical of back surface mirrors.

Material: Proprietary copper-tin alloy (Vellam), bell metal Origin: Kerala
Kavasam Metal & Jewelry Tamil Nadu Temple Heritage
Tamil Nadu

Kavasam

Kavasam "கவசம்" is a traditional Indian craft from Tamil Nadu where artisans create embossed sheet metal armour for temple idols and chariots using silver, brass, or copper. Each piece is custom-made and often finished with gold plating for religious ceremonies. Practiced mainly by the Vishwakarma community, kavasam combines technical skill with deep ritual significance.

Material: Brass, copper, temple-grade sheet silver, gold gilding Origin: Tamil Nadu
Uthavache Kaam Metal & Jewelry Maharashtra Heritage Seal (Nashik)
Nashik

Uthavache Kaam

Uthavache Kaam or metal embossing refers to a technique of applying raised motifs and designs to sheet metals like silver, gold, copper, brass and aluminium. Nashik, a district in Maharashtra is known for Uthavache Kaam in Silver metal.

Material: Fine sterling silver, brass, copper sheets Origin: Maharashtra
Coconut Based Crafts Natural Crafts Kerala Handicrafts Board Seal
Kerela

Coconut Based Crafts

Coconut-based craft "ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ (Thenginakayi Kala)" transforms discarded shells into eco-friendly bowls, utensils, and décor, showcasing the ingenuity of Indian coastal artisans. Each piece is hand-crafted for sustainability and style.

Material: Aged coconut endocarp shell, coir, natural beeswax Origin: Kerala
Madhubani Painting Art
BIHAR

Madhubani Painting Art

Madhubani painting, also known as Mithila painting, is a traditional Indian folk art from Bihar, characterized by intricate patterns, natural motifs, and vibrant colors. It is created using natural dyes on handmade paper, cloth, or walls, and often depicts scenes from nature, mythology, and everyday life.

Material: Natural dyes, handmade paper/cloth Origin: Bihar (Mithila region)
Date palm craft Grass & Natural Fibers Rural UP Traditional Craft Registry
Uttar Pradesh

Date palm craft

Date palm craft is a traditional Indian craft where artisans weave baskets, mats, and utility items from dried date palm leaves in regions like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Material: Sun-cured Phoenix dactylifera date palm leaflets Origin: Uttar Pradesh