Profile of India

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. With a population now exceeding 1 billion people, the diversity of India’s society is marked by complex structures, diverse groups, and strong religious beliefs. Covering an area of 32,87,263 square km, the country has an equally varied and vibrant landscape - extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the seventh largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off by high mountains and surrounded by the sea, this country exists as a distinct geographical entity.

Crafts in India

Dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization period of 3000 BC to 1700 BC, the history of Indian crafts is one of the most established civilizations of the globe. From ancient times, the rich crafts tradition in India has spun around religious values, cultural traditions and the confined needs of commoners as well as the special needs of elite clientele and royalty, including those from overseas as well as domestic. Traditionally, Indian handicrafts were created for basic day-to-day use, but the yearning for aesthetic application and artistic expression soon created a flood of designs and motifs. The incalculable artistry and richness of ethnicities, cultures and religious denominations across India has enabled a fusion of motifs, techniques and crafts to emerge from India – a phenomenon unparalleled elsewhere in the world.