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Stone and metal sculpture, drawing, carpentry, jewellery making, dyeing
and printing of fabrics, spinning and weaving, making toys, shoes or dolls
and tattooing are the folk crafts of Himachal Pradesh.
Bronze Sculptures
Studios in Chatarahadi, Bharmaur and Bojora have produced
several beautiful bronze sculptures in the past. The statues of Ardha
Vishnu are beautiful examples of the art of metal casting. Some statue
forms found in the state are those of
Shiva and his wife Parvati,
Ganesh,
Vishnu in Baikunth, Uma-Maheshwar, Mahishasur Mardini (Durga),
Kartikeya and Durga as Shakti. Their shapes and postures follow the strict
classical patterns. The Shimla and Nirmand areas produced good artists.
The traditional metal (brass and bronze) pots produced
locally have a beautiful finish. The Mangath region in Kangra district
is well-known for brass utensils. Many of these Musarabbas (brass pots
for storing water), tumblers, platters and charotis (large pots used for
feasts), boxes and articles used for puja, bells, stools and tables display
beautifully rendered floral motifs and miniatures. |
