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Things To Buy
India is a vast country which offers many things to purchase and sell.
Every region has something or other to offer, every area has a specialty
of its own. But amount of choice one has means that you should have fairly
good idea of what you are buying and what price you are paying ? Often
tourists get cheated and land up buying fake goods or paying more. One
should know what item is manufactured in the area and what are the
specialities of the regional items which one is going to purchase.
For a foreigner, it is very likely that he pays more than the actual
price, particularly on the handicraft items. And this price is not a small
amount, they often pay almost five times more or so. So, it is advisable
to verify the price before hand and the bottom line is Bargain and Bargain
as much as you can.
To avoid being cheated, look for the state government emporiums and
Central Cottage Industries Emporium. Almost at all the major tourist
destinations ,these emproiums have been established. At these shops you
are sure of the quality and assured of the price. Often, it might seem
that you are paying more than the market price, but it is not so. The
price and quality of the items available at these emporiums are same
throughout India and the commodities are tested before being put for sale.
Also, there are government owned and approved shops, which sell decorative
items, curios, gift items and many other regional specialties. These shops
are located almost at all the tourist spots, which are frequented by
tourists. But beware of the fake shops that claim to be
government-approved.
Take extreme care care with the commission merchants. These guys hang
around waiting to pick you up and cart you off to their favourite dealers
where whatever you pay will have a hefty margin to built in to it to pay
their commission.
Carpets :
One of the most priced purchases from India has been carpets. The carpets
from India are in no manner inferior in quality than those made in Iran
and it is also a fact that India produces and exports more carpets than
Iran. In recent times, there has been a drop in the sales due to the
protests raised by the organizations against employment of child labour in
this industry. But new technology and machines have helped the carpet
manufacturers to maintain the quality. Infact, with the new technology the
prices have been slashed.
In India, Kashmir has been most famous for the manufacture of good
quality carpets. The motifs are taken from the Persian carpets. The art of
carpet flourished during the Moghul period, when the Persian technique and
designs came to India. These carpets come in various sizes and designs and
price varies according to the material used, which includes the use of
wool and silk. There are good carpets from Badhoi and Mirzapur in Uttar
Pradesh and Warangal in Andhra. In the Himalayan region, daris, falt weave
cotton warp and weft rugs are manufactured. The woollen numdas, are more
primitive and folksy than the fine carpets made in Kashmir and Rajasthan.
The Tibetans have brought with them, the art of making Tibetan carpets.
Thus, you have a wide range of choices in carpet section but it is
advisable that if you are spending more money on these decorative items,
purchase them from a reputed dealer.
Papier Mache :
These are characteristic craft work from Kashmir. They come in various
items like bowls, cups, containers, jewel boxes, letter holders, tables,
lamps, coasters, trays and so on. They are prepared in moulds then painted
and polished in layers. The price depends on the complexity of designs and
amount of gold leaf used.
Pottery :
TThough glazed pottery with hand painted designs from Rajasthan is famous
,but the terracotta clay toys and other items come from Bihar. Similarly,
the state of Andhra and Uttar Pradesh also produce pottery items. Prices
vary according to the make.
Metal Work :
Metal craft is done in all parts of India and each region had a
distinct style of its own. It is surprising that these styles are equally
popular among the tourists. Candle holders, trays, bolws, tankards,
ashtrays, hookah pipes, lamp bases, jewellery boxes and many more similar
items are made in variious metals. In Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh items
made from brass are inlaid with exquisite designs, Bidri craft from Andhra
Pradesh where gunmetal is inlaid with silver are very popular.
The bronze work is an ancient art in India and been kept alive in the
southern region of the country. This involves the wax lost process in
which the a wax model is made and clay is applied on it. Then molten metal
is poured in the mould which makes the wax melt and metal take it place.
Then the clay covering is broken to get the desired figure. Particularly
the dancing Shiva or Nataraja is famous all over.
Jewellery :
India is the largest exporter of gems and jewellery. Nad why not India
produces some of the finest jewellery in world. Particularly those from
Rajasthan are very popular for their traditional style and designs. Though
the jewellery comes from all over India but there are some regions which
are known for the jewelled items and one of them is Rajasthan. In recent
time jewellery from Tibet is also becoming very popular among the
travellers.
Leatherwork :
Like in jewellery, India is also a major exporter of leather items.And in
leather also there are many varieties from different states. Like the
Rajasthani 'Juti' gives a royal look, then the chappals from Agra and
Kanpur are very common amongthe native people. From Maharashtra comes the
Kolhapuri sandals and chappals. Kashmir also gives very good leather
goods. India offers good quality leather footwares, jackets and coats etc.
Textiles :
Good quality, cheap and latest designs this is what Indian textile is all
about. From pure cotton denims to exqusite woollens and silk materials,
from handwoven to the machine woven all types of textiles are avialable in
India. There are cloths which are popular all over the country and some of
the big names are involved in their manufacture. But each region has
developed an unique styleof its own which goes along with the name of the
area. Like the pashmina and Shahtush shawls from Kashmir, phulkari from
Punjab, kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Recently Batik work has
become famous for its designs. The handwoven and silk khadi materials from
the Khadi cooperative stores is also a good bargain.
There are many showrooms and boutiques which sell readymade garments and
other materials which suit every taste. This includes the cloths designed
by famous designers to the normal sober cloths. One traditional wear for
ladies form India are the saris. But before you buy a saree learn to wear
them as often they are very tricky to wear and handle and at times they
restrict movement making you very uncomfortble.
Woodwork :
Like metalwork, woodwork is also famous and each region in India has
developed a distinct atyle of wood work depending on the type of wood
found in the area. There are various motifs in the woodwork. Particularly
statues, mythological figures and animals are main theme of these work but
there artists have started invating new designs in their work.
The Sandalwood and rosewood work from Karnataka is very famous among
natives as well as the natives. Carved wooden furniture and other
household items, either in natural finish or lacquered are made at various
locations. Carved wooden screens, tables, jewellery, boxes, trays and the
like are carved from Indian walnut wood in Kashmir.
Paintings :
While purchasing paintings beware of the fakes. Often shops have
miniature paintings with ancient motifs and claim to be original but most
of them are copies or fakes. Also, their quality varies a lot. Unless
you've had a chance to look at a lot of miniatures and develop some
appreciation you'll inevitably purchase unwisely.
Apart from these there are many items which can be taken back home. Like
the Marble inlay pieces from Agra are pleasant reminder of India and the
Taj ofcourse. From here you can also pick up jewellery boxes and leather
items. From Orissa you can have the Applique work. The Kutch region of
Gujarat offers stuffed toys. The Indian musicians and musical instruments
have always facinated Foreigners. One take some traditional musical
instrument back home but unless you know how to play them it they become
useless and in that case the precorded cassettes are better bargains. From
the North Eastern region one can purchase tea and cane furniture etc.