Handmade in India: A Geographic Encyclopedia of India Handicrafts Hardcover – October 20, 2009 by Aditi Ranjan (Editor), M. P. Ranjan (Editor) (Abbeville Press)

Handmade in India examines all aspects of Indian handicrafts—historical, social, and cultural influences on crafts, design and craft processes, traditional and new markets, products, and tools—unraveling a wealth of knowledge. Based on extensive fieldwork and research, this work maps out the regional crafts identified across the country on the basis of prevailing craftwork patterns. It is closely woven with images to reveal the array of crafts in India, enabling the reader to discern subtle, sometimes unusual, differences in the same craft practiced by distinct regions or communities. Some of these are well known, like the woodwork of Kashmir, blue pottery of Jaipur, and the bamboo craft of Assam. The authors also describe lesser-known crafts like stitched boots from Ladakh, paintings from Jharkhand, and tinsel printing in Ahmedabad.

With its extensive photography, this unique volume will be a tremendous resource for product and textile designers, artists, architects, interior designers, collectors, development professionals, and connoisseurs alike.

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.