By Apeejay School, Mumbai

Eesha and Basant (North)
Kartik and Dhruv (East)
Amla and Natasha (South)
Chhavi and Kanika (West)

Rajasthan

Textile crafts : Rajasthani textiles come in an attractive range of hand-block prints, tie and dye and embroidered fabrics. The Bandhani (tie and dye and leharia) work from Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur is world famous. Printed Kota Doria sarees are a rage with women during summer season. Hand block printed bed sheets in Ajrak prints come from Barmer. Sarees, wraps and kerchiefs from Nathdwara and embroidered textiles from Bikaner and Barmer are well known.
Paintings : The miniature paintings of Rajasthan are renowned all over the world. Over a period of time several schools of painting developed in Rajasthan : the Mewar School, Bundi-Kota Kalam, Bikaner, Jaipur, Marwar and Kishangarh Schools. Today families engaged in miniature paintings exist in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Kishangarh and continue to work on handmade paper.
Furniture and wood carvings : The furniture of Rajasthan is in harmony with its palaces and havelis (palaces), displaying similar intricate design and carving. The painted furniture of Jodhpur and Kishangarh consists of screens, doors, traditional caskets, low tables and chairs. The crafts men are specialized in the art of wood carving, especially doors, cradles and tables. Another type of wooden carving, sandalwood carvings are world famous, while metal plated Parta furniture has charm of its own.
Pottery craft : This ancient craft is one of the oldest in Rajasthan and many schools of pottery still exist in different parts of the state. The most popular and unusual pottery is known as the blue pottery of Jaipur, the origins of which lie in Persia. New designs are constantly introduced, ranging from floral motifs to geometric patterns.
Jewelry : Enameled jewelry is what Jaipur has been famous for centuries. From chunky tribal jewelry to exclusive and delicate jewelry studded with precious stones, the range available is astounding. Meenakari, the art of enameling gold or silver, is done in Jaipur. Kundan jewelry is exclusive both in terms of design and workmanship. “Thewa” work in gold on a green or red enamel base is exquisite.
Carpets : Rajasthan's carpets are superb in workmanship and command sizeable export market. Exquisite carpets in traditional and contemporary designs, woolen druggets or “Namdas” and hand-woven cotton durries also known as “Panja” durries are the popular floor coverings.

Gujarat

Wood carving : It is an ancient art of the state which has attained a very high standard of technical skill. Some of the best examples of wood-carvings are found in temples and houses in many parts of Gujarat. The wood carvers produce life-like figures of animals, artistic objects of every-day use such as teapoys, table lamps, stools and toys for children. Mahuva and Idar are famous for their lacquer toys. Sankheda in Baroda district is known for its lacquer work. The work is done on country-wood which gives darker shades. The coating is done with fine lac. Women folk of Saurashtra prepare idols, toys, ashtrays, toilet boxes, lamp stands and flower-pots from the pulp of rags, banana stumps and bamboos. Artistic jars, water-pots and other utility articled are prepared from clay.
Embroidery : It has been a craft for women, Banni, a small village in the Rann of Kutch is known for its artistic embroidery work. Small mirrors are interspersed to lend glitter and charm. The finest type of such embroidery work with small mirrors is called Abhla-Bharat. When a bride is sent to her husband's house, she carries with her some pieces of skirts and cholis exquisitely embroidered with minute details.
Bead work : It is a speciality of Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and Junagadh. Decorative pieces like torans, chopat, carpets, caps, and belts are some of the fine articles of bead work.
The art of making jewellery and precious stone cutting and processing is a traditional handicraft of Gujarat. Gold smithy includes filigree-work, open-wire-work, carving, etc. The folk jewellery of excellent designs, characteristic of each village and each community as a typical art of Gujarat. The silver craft is a specialty of Kutch, in which light embossing is done on thin silver plates and is enhanced by etching and scrapping. Attardanis, gulsbdanis, flower vases, trays, jewellery boxes, powder boxes, ashtrays and cigarette boxes are some of the articles of silver craft.

Jammu and Kashmir

The handicrafts from this region are traditional and unique. Kashmir differs a lot from the other regions in wood, woolen and jewelry work. In Kashmir, the houses are lined with wood, with ceilings worked in geometrical patterns and lattice-worked made up of pieces of wood locally known as pinjara. The last state produces many wood carved items like furniture, screens, boxes, bowls, etc. These are mostly prepared from walnut wood. Kashmiri carpets are world renowned for two things, they are hand made and they are always knotted, never tufted. Kashmir differs a lot from the other regions in jewellery. The most important designs here are for the ear ornaments. These are known as Kan Balle or Jhumka normally worn by the Muslim women on both the sides of their head. Then comes the common Zululand, a neck jewel item. Engraving and cut works are the important techniques used here.

Punjab

Punjab, old havelis have carved doors and windows. Woodcarving and inlay are now practiced in Hoshiarpur. Jalandhar is specialized in lacquer-turned furniture. In the Kulu region, most of the items are made in Hoshiarpur, which has its own style. The Pipal Patra made out of silver pipal leaves fastened to an enameled piece of silver is commonly worn by the women folk of this area. Here necklaces are formed out of large metal plates, which are engraved with traditional designs.

Uttar Pradesh

In this region, Saharanpur is an important center in woodcarving. Screens and room, dividers with carved patterns and ivory, inlays with minute details are produced here. Nagina is another important wood carving center in U.P. Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh has villages where clay figures of animals are produced. The potter creates the basic form by throwing separate pieces on the wheel and then joining them. Varanasi is one of the most famous silk weaving centers. Originally, it produced cotton and was a cotton-weaving center. Silk weaving started in Varanasi for producing saris, dhotis and chaddars for use in worship. The Amru silk brocades of Varanasi are very famous.