Contemporary
Supermarkets of Delhi
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Moving further
South are the upmarket shopping centres of South Delhi - South
Extension, Greater Kailash I and II, Green Park and Hauz Khas
Village. These markets offer a combination of ethnic chic
and designer labels, Indian and international. One of the
more visible results of the liberalisation of the Indian economy
is the burgeoning on international designer-wear outlets has
set very interesting trends as a market of the city. Wherein,
a few years ago, an association called "Dastakar"
- established in the tradition of providing village crafts
through an organised marketing system-set up a showroom in
the village. It didn't take long for entrepreneurs to capitalize
on the distinctly rural setting. Now the village has a plethora
of boutiques.
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Shopping
in Rajasthan
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Since
long back Rajasthan has been famous for its artistic designed
jewellery with a variety of precious and semi precious stones
such as emerald, garnet, agate, amethyst, topaz and lapiz lazuli
which look unique and elegant.
Jaipur
is internationally renowned for its exquisite Kundan (the
art of setting precious stones in gold) and meena (enamel)
jewellery, meenakari is also done in Nathdwara near Udaipur.
Lac and glass bangles are a special attraction of Rajasthan
and are made in a variety of colours and designs in Jaipur
and Jodhpur. Silver is commonly worn by rural women and one
can pick up old Tribal Silver Jewellery as well. |
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The
Printing: |
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The
village craftsman cuts small blocks by hand from hard teak wood,
one block for each colour in a design. The printer then dips
the wooden block into a custom-mixed tray of fresh dye bath
which is placed on top of a small table on casters and moves
down the length of the cloth stamping with skilful precision.
To
print a bedspread of 90"x108" the printers have to
stamp approximately 1400 times with different blocks of as many
as five or six colors, to cover the entire surface of the fabric.
Print colors are freshly mixed each day by the color master
in charge of each print workshop. Printers maintain a complete
record of the recopies of various colors. Colour masters often
have to amend the recopies to compensate for changes in weather
and alterations in the dye lots.
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Leather
Ware
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Jaipur,
Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer are traditionally known for their
footwear. Incredibly comfortable and sturdy, the jootis have
artistically embroidered uppers. Leather is also used for making
musical instruments especially percussion instruments (such
as the tabla and dhol) and the stringed instruments (like kamaycha)
used by Rajasthani folk musicians. Bikaner is known for its
painted lampshades, shields and vases made from camel hide.
Designer hand-bags, purses, belts, hats, stools and collapsible
chairs with graphic embroideries from Tilonia village near Ajmer
also make a good purchase. The exhibition showcases items that
are at once moderately priced and high on quality. The deftly
executed wall hanging paintings on silk feature Rajput and Mughal
miniature reproductions, mythological scenes and finely delineated
floral themes.
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Carpets and Durries: |
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Rajasthan
is famous for its traditional cotton durries and woollen
carpets specially made in Bikaner and Jaipur. The
durries are cool light rugs, generally found in pastel
shades with geometrical motifs which can even liven up
the dullest of all floors. The carpets though are a
bulky item to carry home are beautifully designed that
are generally based on Persian and Caucasian styles.
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Agra
is one of the most important centres for handicrafts, made of
marble and softstone. The Mughals were great patrons of arts
and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was
an accomplished artist in Zari embroidery work. Agra's major
handicraft products besides inlay work are Leatherware,
Brassware, Carpets, Jewellery and embroidery work. Agra is
also well known for its sweets 'Petha' and 'Gajak' and saltish
snack 'Dalmoth.' The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar
Bazar, Kinari Bazaar, Munro Road, Sanjay Place, Raja-Ki-Mandi
and Near Taj Mahal Complex.
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