Madhya Pradesh and handicrafts go hand in hand. You'll be spoiled for choice because the selections here range from exquisite handwoven fabrics to beautiful hand-block designs and centuries-old folk art. Here's a peek at Madhya Pradesh's incredible arts and crafts tradition so you know what to look for the next time you visit the state.
Chanderi is a delicate, shimmering fabric with an exquisite brocade woven from silk and cotton. Master weavers continue to use handlooms to create the fabric according to ancient traditions. The most popular handwoven items from this town are Chanderi saris, which are woven in soft, pleasant colours and feature a rich gold border. The delicateness of the weaving and the proportion of silk to cotton determine the sari's value. Among the traditional motifs used are peacocks and lotuses. It is reported that the only colour utilised when this unparalleled fabric was first woven was an extract from the highly prized saffron herb. While Chanderi saris remain the most popular items sold today, you can also find men's jackets, salwar kameez, and scarves made from the fabric.
The village of Bagh in the district of Dhar is renowned for its vivid and vibrant hand-block printing. This technique of wooden hand-block printing was originally practiced throughout the Indus Valley. The skill of block printing with organic colours is an invaluable part of Madhya Pradesh's history and culture. The labourious process entails treating the cloth with sea salt and castor oil. The prints—geometrical and floral motifs—are created entirely by hand, as are the wood blocks used for printing. Some of the wooden blocks used by craftspeople date back two to three hundred years. The traditional designs are inspired by the ancient Bagh cave paintings, nature, and the jali (lattice) work of the Taj Mahal.
For centuries, the forest-dwelling Gond tribe's lifestyle has been intricately interwoven with the environment. Their work reflects their natural affinity for flora and animal activity. The paintings depict mahua trees, tigers, barasinghas, chital, and birds. The landscape of Madhya Pradesh and the community's relationships with the jungle residents are frequent themes. The work of famous Gond artists like Durga Bai and Bhajju Shyam is now recognised worldwide. While Gond art has been around for generations, adorning the walls of their village homes, it has evolved away from home walls and onto paper and canvas over the years.
Queen Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt Maheshwar, an ancient temple town on the Narmada River's banks, in the 18th century. She imported weavers from South India and nurtured the region's rich handloom weaving traditions, which date back to the fifth century. When royal financing disappeared following Indian independence, however, this creative form stalled once more. Until Richard Holkar and his wife Sally Holkar founded the Rehwa Society in 1979 to resurrect it. You can visit Rehwa to observe local weavers create works of art from silk, cotton, or a combination. Maheshwari saris are subtle and graceful, exuding charm and sophistication. Silk thread is used in the warp (tana), and cotton thread is used in the weft (bana), giving the fabric a wonderful, silken sheen. Maheshwari weaves are now used to make kurtas, shirts, stoles, vests, jackets, dupattas, furniture, and saris.
Dhokra art, an ancient metal casting technique, is renowned for its unique lost-wax process. Practiced by the Gond and Bharewa tribes in the Betul and Hoshangabad districts (near Satpura) of Madhya Pradesh, Dhokra artisans create stunning metal figurines, animals, and deities, typically cast in brass or bronze. The art form features intricate, handcrafted detailing, often symbolizing tribal folklore, deities, or daily life. Each piece is made using the traditional lost-wax technique, where a wax model is coated with clay and heated, allowing molten metal to replace the wax. These pieces are revered for their rustic beauty and cultural significance. Dhokra artefacts from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh continue to be cherished for their timeless charm and deep connection to tribal heritage.