Sawantwadi
Crafts
From recent evidence, it
appears that the craft of lacquer ware was
introduced into Sawantwadi around the end
of the 17 th and the beginning of the 18
th century. Lacquer ware can be broadly divided
into three categories. Firstly, turned lacquer
ware which is the craft of applying coloured
lacquer on an object which is turning on
a lathe, and then polishing and buffing it
by means of a kewda leaf. Secondly, painting
of floral borders and motifs on surfaces
of objects and thirdly, the painting of mythological
figures on various surfaces.
The painting of mythological figures show three distinct styles,
roughly divided into the Chitrakatha, Temple and Ganjifa styles.
The Chitrakatha style shows a boldness and tremendous mobility
of figures. Temple paintings are static and usually depict a seated
deity. The Ganjifa paintings on the other hand, are very stylised
and depict the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
During the 18 th and the 19 th centuries, various schools of this
craft were started in Sawantwadi. The artisans who trained in these
schools, many of whom were imported from nearby Goa, came to be
known as Chitrakars or Chitaris.
These days, Sawantwadi lacquer ware has a large range of products
and concentrates on traditional hand painted and lacquered furniture
and light fittings. Ganjifa card games, which were played and made
in the 18 th and 19 th centuries, are produced in all varieties
and can be found in private collections and in museums.
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