SHOPPING

Shopping is an adventure of a vibrant kind in India. Exotic images of an India, of silk, spices and saries are alive even today in quintessential bazaars where the passing of the time has less meaning. Like some other aspect of India, its shopping experience is full of contrasts. Here, chaotic and irresistible medieval shops in narrow lanes with a churning mass of cyclist, buses and deafening honks of fast-paced cars rub shoulders with sprawling morden shopping malls.

Every part of India offers its own special variety of rich silk and its own individual colours and weaves. From the heavy Kanjeevaram silks of the south, to the soft and the richly brocaded ones of Beneras; the light silks from the east; the golden-hued 'muga' of Assam; "tanchoi" from Surat, the magical tie-and-dye of Rajasthan and Gujarat; and the "ikat" or 'patola' of Orissa.

The markets are practically loaded with good buys. Artifacts in bronze, brass, ivory, marble or wood: from statues, to lamp shades, to chairs, delicate filigree work on ivory and silver, marble inlaid with precious colored stones, enamel work; "kundan" or "mina" jewellery of Rajasthan, silver from Orissa and pearls of Hyderabad. The shopper in a hurry, the government runs the Central Cottage Industries Emporium which has branches in each major city. These are well appointed multi-strayed complexes containing a selection of handicrafts from every corner of the country. Cottage Emporium, as also many other stores in the country, accept all major international credit cards. Each branch has an air freighting section where bulky purchases are delivered right at your doorstep, back home. Likewise, many other stores in India will pack and airfreight your bulky purchases.

SHOPPING TIPS:

This will give a better understanding of the social milieu of India.

• Check with your hotel about shopping hours and closing days before you set out to shop.
• India does not have a culture of large super market and department stores.
• Major cities have government emporiums with fixed prices and quality goods. They may sometimes be a bit more expensive than roadside shops but are reliable.
• Every city has a local bazaar, Bargaining is routine. Compare prices before bargaining for an item. You could start your research at the fixed-price government emporiums.
• Establish goodwill. Never insult the merchant.
• Let the seller (shopkeeper) make the first offer, than start asking for 40% discount on the amount said, than your next offer should be around 35% discount, the seller will probably counter with a 20% discount.

Books and Music
India is the perfect place to pick up good quality fiction, coffee table and college books at almost 40% less than price in the West. There are some interesting cassettes and CDs available on Indian classical music in Planet M and Music World stores present in major cities

Carpets
India offers a wide range of floor coverings that have evolved over the centuries to suit a variety of tastes, climates and budgets. The woollen and silk carpets are more renowned compared to the other materials such as cotton and several vegetable fibres, which are used for making attractive and practically useful mats and durries. India offers a wide range of floor coverings that have evolved over the centuries to suit a variety of tastes, climates and budgets. The woollen and silk carpets are more renowned compared to the other materials such as cotton and several vegetable fibres, which are used for making attractive and practically useful mats and durries.

Light-weight durries (floor coverings) are available in numerous styles. The states of Punjab , Haryana, Rajasthan (wollen durries ), Uttar Pradesh (geometrical patterns) and Tamil Nadu (stylized patterns) are important weaving tradition, its designs are based on Persian and central Asian styles.

Kashmir is also known for other types of floor covering, known as the Namdas are made of felted wool and cotton and are embroidered with woolen chain stitches. The hook rug is made with chain stitch embroidery worked with a hook called ahri. Thick jute is embroidered fully so that the base material is not visible. The Gabba is an appliqué done on worn-out wollen blankets. Carpets produced in Agra and Amritsar have fine quality patterns on a red , ivory, green and black background.

Silk
Indian silks are in great demand with foreign designers who use them extensively in fashion garments. Today silk is not just restricted to saries. It is also sold by the yard. Government and private outlets stock silks all over India. The heavier variety can be used for drapes and upholstery. A wide range of ladies and men's wear like dupattas, garments, fabric caps, handkerchiefs, scarves, dhotis, turbans, shawls, ghagras or lehengas and even quilts, bedcovers, cushions, table-cloths, curtains are made of silk.

Silk Saries
Banaras is one of the leading silk sari producing centers of India. It is known for its heavy gold-silver brocades. Hair thin wires of gold and silver are obtained by heating the metal and passing it through minute holes. These wires are then used with silk yarn for weaving. The Amru silk brocades of Banaras are not only famous in India but also abroad. Jamvar, Navrangi (nine colors), Jamdani etc are other brocade types from the range of Banarasi saris.
(a) Patola silk saris are the pride of Gujarat. These saris are created by using the resist dying technique. (b) Maharashtra is known for its Paithani silk saris, which generally come in kum-kum colors in combination with a contrasting color. (c) The state of Madhya Pradesh is famous for Chanderi, Maheshwari and Tussar silk saris. (d) Chanderi sari is known for soft colors and the harmonious balance between the border and the body of the sari. (e) Maheshwari sari is known for its elaborate patterns and border. (f) Silk Bomkai Sambalpuri saris from Orissa are also in single and double ikat. (g) Heavy silk saris from Tanjore, Kumbakonam and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu are known for their broad decorative borders and contrasting colors.

Furniture
Indian furniture is regarded as prized because of its ethinic flavour. Traditional Indian woodcarvers continue to follow the style of their ancestors keeping traditional crafts alive. Wooden furniture has always been known for its durability, elegance and design, which lends an aristocratic look to a particular room, be it an office or a home. The reason why Indian furniture has been regarded as prized possession is its ethnic flavour. In spite of rapid development in the tools and materials used, traditional Indian woodcarvers still use the simplest of tools and follow the style of their ancestors. This has helped a lot in keeping the traditional crafts alive. Block of the hardest wood is used as a mallet. Carving implements include flats of iron or steel, edges sharpened by the local blacksmiths.

Among the many regional specialties, nothing can beat the Rajasthani and Gujarati woodcraft. The fabulous creations in wood, the antique look and the intricate craftsmanship are some of the reasons why the furniture from these two regions of India is always in demand both in India and abroad.

In some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat colourful painting of furniture is quite common. Traditional designs and motifs are painted in colours, which are again traditional. The items that are generally available in this range are small chairs and tables, bajots and chowkis, stools with string seats, boxes, cabinets, mirror/picture frames, doors and windows.

Like Rajasthan, Gujarati handicrafts are unique in its own ways. The history of Gujarati furniture is related to the Mughals who were great patrons of arts and crafts. The patronage of the Mughals especially for the woodcraft acted as the green signal to Persian inlay craftsmen to carry on their work and settle down in their respective workplaces. Like Rajasthan, Gujarati handicrafts are unique in its own ways. The history of Gujarati furniture is related to the Mughals who were great patrons of arts and crafts. The patronage of the Mughals especially for the woodcraft acted as the green signal to Persian inlay craftsmen to carry on their work and settle down in their respective workplaces.

Handicraft
The rich craft heritage of India is unique and diverse as its customs and traditions. Each part of the country has its own unique cultural ethos, which is manifested in the crafts of that particular region. Indian crafts and craft traditions are influenced by local topography, climate, and socio-religious factors. Craft traditions also depend heavily on the availability of raw material on one hand and the demand for the finished product in domestic as well as foreign markets on the other hand.

Indian craft tradition has no parallel in the world, in diversity as well as in technique and use of materials. The craft traditions of India vary from region to region. These crafts not only cater to the day-to-day needs of the people but are also used for decorative and religious purposes.

Cane & bamboo
In India, cane and bamboo have since ancient history given form to the expression of tribal art and provided them livelihood. Many useful as well as decorative items are made out of these.Baskets and mats are the most popular items in this category.

Coir
Coir industry occupies a unique place among the rural traditional cottage industries in India. The state of Kerala, is the largest producer of Coir in India. Coir-foam, rubberized coir is used to make mattresses and pillow-covers These have gained popularity due to their softness and durability. Floor mats, carpets and durries are also made. Other handicraft items like bags, wall hangings, dolls and animal figures etc. are made.

Gems
Gem cutting has been defined as an art of artificial diamond making. In India, the traditional gem processing involved cutting and polishing of natural stones. Gems are used to make exquisite jewellery items in both traditional and modern designs, which are popular around the world.

Glassware
Archaeological discoveries in India reveal the existence of glass over 2000 years ago. Beads, tiles and conical flasks have been unearthed from a site discovered in Uttar Pradesh.

Jute
Jute handicrafts of India have created a niche the world over. A wide range of the most endearing stuffed toys are made of jute woven fabrics. These are washable and safe for children to play with. A luxurious range of jute home decor products are available to suite different life styles. Cushion covers, table-mats, table covers, tea cosies add a touch of class to the interiors.

Leather
Indian leather tanning has a history dating back to 3000 BC. The most popular leather products in India are footwear and hand bags. The footwear comes in a variety of traditional embroidery, brocade or textile designs. Bright colors and individual designs are use

Metal ware
The art of bronze casting has been practiced in India for more than five million years. Copper and bronze were perhaps the earliest non-ferrous metals which man shaped into tools. This work is found mostly in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, Kashmir is famous for metal engraving. Metal casting, metal carving, inlay work, enamelling etc. is a craft widely popular in India.

Pottery
The origin of pottery in India can be traced back to the neolithic age. Coarse handmade pottery in various colors such as red, orange, brown, black and cream mainly consisted of different types of bowls, jars, vessels, etc.

Silver
Ancient art and modern aesthetics mingle well at the roadside silversmith in India. The vast variety will leave you delirious. Fashionably shaped funky silver is among the most popular materials for delicate ornaments all over India. It is chased, engraved, filigreed or granulated giving birth to a wide array of ornaments in different textures and finishes and styles. The silver smiths of the Kashmir valley reflect the local flora in their design. Their long chained earrings are typical to the Kashmiri women. In the hilly tracts of the misty Himachal countryside they take raw silver and inlay it with precious stones. For silver from both these states, Cottage Emporium has the best collection.

Brassware
India is the largest brass-making region in the world and according to historians the art has been practiced in the country for over 5 million years. Today India is also one of the largest exporters of brass to the rest of the world. Its artisans are known for their unique and varied skills in treating the metal.

Though a few towns in the north dominate the trade, just about every Indian state has its own unique traditional crafting techniques and designs. Basically brass is an alloy of two parts copper and one of zinc, but in India the proportions vary. And though in most centers the basic casting process is mechanized, the major craftsmanship still lies in the fine engraving that takes place by hand, the enameling, carving, or rich inlay work with semi-precious stones.