Handmade in India: A Geographic Encyclopedia of Indian Handicrafts

I did think that perhaps I was being a bit rash spending quite so much on a single book but it was worth it

Fortunate to read such a rich content book, MUST BUY for all interested in handicrafts.

WOW, wow, wow!!! What a book! If there is just one book documenting India's many crafts you'll ever need this is the one. It is just massive and outstanding. I would personnally like to thank the authors for undertaking such a daunting task. I own more than 2 dozen books on the subject and this one sums them all up.Beware, you'll need sturdy shelves for this baby. It is a 600-page, nearly 5 kilo-newborn you'll end up living with. It is very well laid oud. After a short introduction the entries are organized by State (all are present, even the tiny "tribal" northeasternmost ones) and each craft, be it terracotta, embroidery or damascening, gets a chapter. It is extremely thorough. There are hundreds and hundreds of pictures, all colour and all good.What I really enjoy about the book is that it shows crafts and craftsmen as they are today. It doesn't have a museum feel at all and shows that crafts are still very much a part of everyday life in the Subcontinent.Bravo!

This book is very helpful for designers. I am in love with the content. It is more like an encyclopaedia for Crafts in India!! The page quality is wonderful!

Handmade in India is a masterpiece of scholarship. As an artist I am constantly seeking high quality art reference books. This book surpassed all my expectations in terms of the breadth of coverage and depth of subject matter. Tackling the art and craft of an entire continent, much less a continent as diverse as India is an overwhelming task. These authors have not only given us a comprehensive look at the major handicrafts of India, but have organized this detailed information and imagery in a very concise and consistent manner. Organized by region, there are plenty of maps and diagrams on each page. The book begins with a chapter of instructions on how the text is organized and how to use the book. Picture examples of each major craft of that region surround the text. The authors even include a list of the tools used with their Indian names! I work in more than one art medium, textiles, clay, sculpture, so was thrilled when ALL of these were included on each page. Multiple techniques in clay, textiles, sculpture etc. are covered. I only wish the publishers would put out other books in this format about handicrafts in other countries. Rush to buy this book.

A remarkable production and a joy to look at and review. Truely useful, especially in illuminating crafts that the average traveler or collector might not be aware of. Of course, no book at an affordable price can cover everything and all Indian enthusiasts will find some of their favorites missing. But, that having been said, there is simply nothing else that can even begin to compare with this remarkable compilation. Well organized, I might add.