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Things to BuyThe Indian craftsman has been perfecting
his art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from
generation to generation.
Each region has its own
specialities, each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular
skills. The results is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern
aesthetics.
Silks, spices, jewellery and many other Indian
products have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would
travel thousands of miles, willingly enduring the hardships and
privations of the long journey in other to make their purchases.
Nowadays,
the marketplaces of the subcontinent are only 9 hours away, and for
fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, antiques the list is endless
India is a shopping paradise. Goods are exotic, attractive, beautiful
hand-crafted and excellent value for money. Half the fun when buying
goods in the bazaars is the bargaining, and you can always check for
reasonable prices at state-run emporiums. Below are some of the best
buys, either for the souvenir hunter or the connoisseur.FABRICS:
One of India’s main industries, silks, cottons, and wools rank
amongst the best in the world. Of the silks the brocades from Varanasi
are among the most famous variety; other major centres include Patna,
Murshidabad,Surat and Kanchipuram. Rajasthan
cotton with its famous "tie and
die" design is usually brillantly colourful, while Chennai cotton is
known for its attractive "bleeding" effect after a few washes.
Throughout the country may be found the "himroo" cloth, a
mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns. Kashmir sells
beautiful woollens particularly shawls.CARPETS:
India
has one of the world’s largest carpet industries, and many examples
of her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout the
world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced by the
Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely made, and
can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one would pay in the west.
Each region will have its own specialty; such as the distinctive, bright
coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.CLOTHES:
Clothes
are very cheap to buy, and can be tailor made in some shops, usually
very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons, himroos,
brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks of silver and gold
thread, set with sequins or semi-precious gems .JEWELLERY:
Particularly
of Rajasthan (Kundan), is traditionally heavy and stunningly elaborate.
Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems can be bought and mounted.
Beautiful gems such as diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star
sapphires, moonstones and aquamarine can be bought from reputed jewlers.
As a matter of interest, Hyderabad is one of the world’s leading
centres for pearls. HANDICRAFTS AND
LEATHERWORK:
Once again, each area will have its own
specialty; the vast range includes fine bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid
with silver), canework and pottery. Papier Mache is a characteristic
Kashmir product, some decorated with gold leaf. Marble and alabaster
inlay work, such as chess sets and ornamental plates, are a specialty of
Agra. Good leatherwork buys include open Indian sandals and slippers.
WOODWORK:
Sandalwood
carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Chennai, Indian walnut
from Kashmir. These are often exquisite and make excellent presentsOTHER
BUYS:
Foods such as pickles, spices and Indian tea,
perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards, musical
instruments- anything that takes your fancy.
NOTE: It
is forbidden to export antiques and art objects over 100 years old,
animal skins or objects made from skins.