Traditional Handicrafts of North KarnatakaCrafting Heritage: Vijayapura’s Handicraft Artisans and their Timeless Traditions

North Karnataka is home to several traditional handicraft forms that have been practiced for centuries. The region’s handicraft heritage includes bidriware metalwork, terracotta pottery, and handloom textiles. According to Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation, bidriware is a metal craft involving zinc alloy inlaid with silver designs through an eight-stage process including casting, smoothing, designing, engraving, inlaying, oxidizing, and buffing. The craft originated in Bidar and involves intricate geometric patterns. Traditional pottery in the region uses terracotta clay for creating utilitarian vessels. Handloom weaving produces textiles including Ilkal sarees, characterized by distinctive borders and cotton-silk blends. According to the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the handloom sector supports numerous weaver families through cooperatives that provide raw materials and marketing assistance. These traditional crafts face challenges from machine-made alternatives and rising material costs, but government programs provide training and subsidies to support artisan communities in preserving these heritage craft forms.Traditional Handicrafts of North Karnataka