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Arunachal Pradesh is a
land of beautiful handicrafts comprising a wide variety. Artistic
craftsmanship has been passed on from one generation to the other and
sense of aesthetics has been manifested through a variety of crafts such
as weaving, painting, pottery, smithy work, basket making etc.
Crafts According To Regional Zones
From the viewpoint of the art and culture the state may be very
conveniently divided into three zones. The first of these zones includes
the Buddhist tribe; the second occupies the central part (from east Kameng
in the west to Lohit in the east); and the third zone is the eastern part
of the territory.
First Zone:
The people of the first zone make beautiful masks. They periodically
stage pantomimes and masked dances. They also make exquisite painted
wooden vessels and silver articles. Carpet making is a specialty of the
Monpas, the Buddhist community. Carpets with exotic designs of dragons,
geometric and floral patterns are made here. Carpet weaving has today
become a major occupation of the womenfolk and with an increase in demand,
production of the carpets is now being undertaken on a large scale.
Second Zone:
Those of the second zone are expert workers in cane and bamboo. The cane
and bamboo industry of the state has made a name for itself. As a matter
of fact most of the domestic requirements are made of these materials.
Hats, baskets, canes vessels, cane belts - woven and plain, bamboo mugs
and carvings, a wide variety of ornaments and jewellery items are all
crafted by workmen. The shawls and jackets, shoulder bags and coats all
stand for the perfection that the people have attained in this art.
Third Zone:
The people of the third zone are famous for their wooden carvings. The
Monpa wood carver scoopes out beautiful cups, dishes and fruit bowls and
magnificent ceremonial masks for dances and pantomimes. Another tribe that
is framed for this art is the Khamptis who carve out beautiful religion
images, figures of dancers, toys and other objects. They weave beautiful
bags and loincloths too. Goat's hair, ivory, boar's tus, beads of agate
and the stones as well as of brass and glass are specialties of the people
of this zone.
Weaving - A Women Dominated Creative Art
Weaving is the occupation of the womenfolk throughout the territory. They
have an excellent sense of colour. The basic colours that dominate the
weaves are black, yellow dark blue, green and scarlet - all put together
in the most fascinating combinations. Originally natural dyes were used,
which today have given away to synthetic dyes.
The designs are essentially geometric varying from a formal arrangement
to lines and bands. Items that could make excellent buys are Sherdukpen
shawls, Apatani jackets and scarves, Adi skirts, jackets and bags, Mishmi
shawls, blouses and jackets; and Wancho bags.
Cane And Bamboo Work
Cane and bamboo industry of Arunachal
Pradesh is of very high standard. Most of the domestic requirements
are made of cane and bamboo. Hats of different sizes and shapes, various
kinds of baskets, cane vessels, a wide variety of cane belts, woven and
plains, elaborately woven brassier of cane and fibre, bamboo mugs with
carvings, a variety of ornaments and necklaces are some of the products
that deserve special mention. The technique of basketry is same
throughout. The two basic techniques are twill and hexagon both open and
closed.
Arunachal basketry is beautiful not only because of the fine texture but
also because of the unusual shapes. Many a baskets have pleasing forms.
There is definite correlation between the shape and the topography and
climatic condition of the region. The angular and curvatious nature of
some of the baskets has definite functional value.
Carpet Making
Carpet making is the specialty of the Monpas. They weave lovely colourful
carpets with dragon, geometric and floral designs. The choice of colour
and the colour combination is unique. Though originally they weave carpet
for domestic use, it has now become an item of trade and a major
occupation for some ladies. Alongwith increase in demand, production has
also been made in large scale.
Wood Carving
Wood carving is a tradition with some of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Monpas, Khamtis, and Wanchos occupy significant place in this art. The
Monpa wood carver makes beautiful cups, dishes; fruit bowls and carve
magnificent masks for ceremonial dances and pantomimes.
The Khambas and Membas of West Siang also carve wooden masks. The
Khamptis make beautiful religious images figures of dancers, toys and
other objects. Very beautiful woodcarvings are made by the Wanchos of
Tirap. In fact the Wancho area is the Chief center of woodcarving. Wancho
woodcarving was earlier associated mainly with head hunting and human head
dominated everything that they made. But now a days variety of subjects
are included. They are invariably free standing. Minute observation on the
details will reveal that the Wancho wood carver had deep sense of
proportion, inspite of the fact that they give much attention to the head.
Of late departure from the traditional fixed form is noticed in many
carved figures. Asymmetrical ones are replacing symmetrical postures;
relief works are experimented in various themes. There is no doubt that
change has penetrated deep into the Wancho woodcarving.
Ornamentation
Crafting ornaments is another art widely practised by the Arunachalis.
Besides multicoloured beads, feathers of birds and wings of the green
beetles are also used as embellishments. The Akas make bamboo bangles and
earrings, which are occasionally decorated with pokerwork designs.
Most of the ornaments are made of beads, as the tribes are very fond of
it. While some people just hang strings of beads round their neck, others
such as the Noctes and Wanchos weave them into very attractive patterns.
The Wancho girls particularly are very expert in beadwork. The designs and
colour combination are superb. One Wancho girl received President's award
for master craftswoman in 1985 for excellent beadwork. Besides beads work
the Wanchos make ear ornaments from glass beads, wild seeds, cane, bamboo
and reed. Various ornaments of coloured glass beads hold a special
fascination for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Silver ornaments are a specialty of the Mishmis. The Idu Mishmi women
wear silver fillet necklaces with lockets and beautiful earring. The
Sherdukpens and the Khamtis at one time were also renowned for silver
work. The Apatani women wear nose plugs made of cane, which are an
exception with the other people of the territory.
Handy Craft Work
Paper making, smithy work, carpentry, pottery and ivory work are the
other crafts practised by the Arunachalis. The Monpas make paper locally,
from pulp of trees called Sukso or the other paper tress. This hand made
paper is used for writing religious prayers on them. Hunting, fishing also
form the subsidiary occupations.
Keeping The Art Heritage Intact
With a view to help developing arts and crafts and to substantiate the
livelihood of the people, local boys and girls are imparted training in
specially set up crafts centres. The rich heritage of art and crafts of
Arunachal Pradesh is sure to add colour to the cultural heritage of the
country.