ASKiIMAN™ REALM 47 / MATERIAL CULTURE
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The Artisan's Hand

Metal, Wood, Textile & The Living Heritage of Craft

REALM 47 — MATERIAL CULTURE

MICRO-REALM 01

Dhokra (Lost Wax)

  • Ancient bronze casting technique (cire perdue).
  • Wax model encased in clay; melted out and replaced with metal.
  • Prominent in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
MICRO-REALM 02

Bidriware

  • Originated in Bidar (Deccan) in the 14th century.
  • Alloy of zinc and copper blackened with special soil.
  • Intricate pure silver wire inlay (Tarkashi).
MICRO-REALM 03

Sandalwood & Teak

  • Mysore sandalwood carving (Gudigar community).
  • Kerala teak/rosewood temple architecture.
  • Highly scented, soft woods perfect for intricate deities.
MICRO-REALM 04

Walnut Wood Carving

  • Kashmiri craft using Juglans regia (Walnut).
  • Dark, fine-grained wood ideal for deep relief carving.
  • Motifs include chinar leaves, grapevines, and iris flowers.
MICRO-REALM 05

Bone & Ivory Carving

  • Historically patronized by royalty (Kerala, Rajasthan).
  • Microscopic jali (lattice) work and miniature figures.
  • Today, camel/buffalo bone replaces banned ivory.
MICRO-REALM 06

Beadwork (Moti Bharat)

  • Saurashtra (Gujarat) and Rajasthan tradition.
  • Glass beads strung into Torans (door hangings) and Chaklas.
  • Signifies domestic auspiciousness and welcoming.
MICRO-REALM 07

Zardozi

  • Persian word for "Gold Embroidery".
  • Heavy metal thread (gold/silver) sewn onto silk, satin, or velvet.
  • Patronized by Mughal and Awadhi courts.
MICRO-REALM 08

Ikat Weaving

  • Resist-dyeing yarns *prior* to weaving them.
  • Patan Patola (Double Ikat) is the most complex form.
  • Creates distinctive blurry, geometric, feathery patterns.
MICRO-REALM 09

Pashmina & Kani

  • Cashmere wool woven in Kashmir.
  • Kani shawls use small eyeless bobbins instead of a shuttle.
  • Intricate 'Bota' (Paisley) motifs woven directly into the fabric.
MICRO-REALM 10

Bamboo & Cane

  • Essential craft of Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya).
  • Utilizes flexible bamboo splits and cane.
  • Used for fishing traps, baskets, and vernacular housing.
MICRO-REALM 11

Terracotta Toys

  • Tradition continuous since the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Bankura Horses (Bengal) and Molela plaques (Rajasthan).
  • Fired clay used for ritual offerings and children's toys.
MICRO-REALM 12

Block Printing

  • Ajrakh (Gujarat) and Bagru/Sanganer (Rajasthan).
  • Hand-carved wooden blocks stamped repeatedly on cloth.
  • Utilizes natural dyes like indigo and madder.