Art & Craft shopping in India
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Sadhna
This is the outlet for Seva Mandir, an NGO set up in 1969 to help rural women. The small shop sells attractive fixed-price textiles; profits go to the artisans and towards community development work.
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State Emporiums
These neighbouring state government emporiums showcase products from different states, from Rajasthan to Kashmir. Set aside several hours for these fabulous shops.
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Gallery Pristine
More showroom than gallery, this collection proves that Shahid Parvez and friends are the pick of Udaipur's rich crop of contemporary artists.
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Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium
Not the cheapest place, but the selection is extensive and there’s no pressure to buy.
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The Kishkinda Trust
The Kishkinda Trust runs programmes and builds business opportunities in Anegundi that benefit both the local community and help preserve the village's heritage and culture. The first project in 1997 created a cottage industry of crafts using locally produced cloth, banana fibres and river grasses. It now employs over 500 women and the attractive crafts are sold across India. You can view the range at the Hoova Craft Shop & Café in the village centre.
With international support, one of the village's traditional houses has been rehabilitated and turned into an interpretation centre. The Kishkinda Trust's latest project is a series of homestays and guesthouses around the v…
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Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium
Mamallapuram wakes each day to the sound of sculptors' chisels on granite. You can browse hassle-free and buy from the fixed-price Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium or from the craft shops that line the main roads (prices negotiable). Sculptures range from Rs 300 (for a small piece to fit in your baggage) to Rs 400,000 for a massive Ganesh that needs to be lifted with a mobile crane.
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Government Silk Factory
It’s the best place to shop for Mysore silk, given that the exclusive fabric is made at this very place and thus comes at its cheapest. Behind the showroom is the factory, where you can drop by between 7.30am and 4pm to see how the fabric is made. There’s also a factory showroom on KR Circle, open from 10.30am to 7.30pm, barring Sundays.
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Andaman Handicrafts Emporium
Island crafts such as fine wood carvings, shell jewellery, bamboo and cane furniture, are available from a handful of emporiums and speciality shops. Most of the shells on sale are collected legally - a good emporium can show proof of this - but, as always, be aware of your home countries' restrictions on importing them.
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Abhivyakti
Run by the Urmul Trust, a local NGO supported by Urmul Dairy (which has an outlet next door), Abhivyakti sells textiles produced by skilled artisans from local villages. The profits of Urmul Trust labelled items go to the producers to help fund a girls’ college. The Urmul Trust welcomes volunteers.
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C.Lal & Sons
After sightseeing at Safdarjang’s tomb, drop into kindly Mr Lal’s ‘curiosity shop’. Much loved by Delhi-based diplomats for its dazzling Christmas-tree decorations, it also sells competitively priced handicrafts such as papier mâché, tiles, and carvings.
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North Chitrai St
Every tout, driver, temple guide and tailor's brother will lead you to the Kashmiri craft shops in North Chitrai St, offering to show you the temple view from the rooftop - the views are good, and so is the inevitable sales pitch.
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Ekamra Haat
A wide-ranging exposition of Orissan handicrafts (and snack stalls) can be found at Ekamra Haat, a permanent market in a large garden space. While the gates open at 10am, many stalls don’t get going until later.
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Kashmir Government Arts Emporium
The Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, as you might expect from the name, sells craft and artworks produced in the northwestern region of Kashmir, scene of strife between the Indian and Pakistani militaries.
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Rajasthali
This state-government emporium, opposite Ajmer Gate, is packed with good-quality Rajasthani artefacts and crafts on four floors. A good reason to visit is to scout out prices before diving into the bazaars.
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Ajanta
Come here for Patna’s best selection of Mithila paintings. Although most of the stock on display appears to be bronzes, the owner can show you a wide range of unmounted paintings starting from Rs. 300.
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Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts Emporium
Outlets selling regional artefacts are maintained by several state governments in Mumbai. The Uttar Pradesh Handicrafts Emporium specialises in goods from the northern Indian state.
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SMSM Institute
No, this place is not dedicated to the study of text messaging, but is a Kerala Government-run handicraft empor-ium with an Aladdin’s cave of goodies that are well-priced.
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Women’s Friendly Society
This 120-year-old charity for destitute women sells somewhat twee hand-embroidered tableware, fabrics and children’s clothes from a fine, if ageing, Raj-era mansion.
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Banascraft
The retail outlet of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Banascraft sells embroidered shawls, clothes and wall hangings.
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Victoria Technical Institute
Most of the revenue from the high-quality crafts here goes directly to the artisans; some of the rest goes to charity.
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Mrignayani
This state-owned place offers stress-free handicraft shopping, though the fixed prices are higher than elsewhere.
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Kairali
This is one of many handicraft shops around here, a government emporium with quality items at fixed prices.
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Shri Rani Sati Cloth Store
This small store to the left of the clock tower as you enter the market is good for block-printed fabrics.
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Bombay Paperie
Sells handmade, cotton-based paper crafted into charming cards, sculptures and lampshades.
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Chimanlals
Writing materials made from traditional Indian paper. Enter from Wallace St.
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