Fabrics
Textile is one of the main industries in India. Until 40 % production, and coming from small producers, it is a fabric called Idiadi. State-owned stores are located throughout the country, Zwane Khadi Gramodyog, selling clothes made of hand-woven fabrics, as well as bedspreads, tablecloths and pillowcases.
Many types of fabrics are produced in India. Hand-dyed fabrics and heavy fabrics with sequins and beads sewn onto them are popular in Rajasthan.. In Kashmir, shirts and dresses are made of embroidered fabrics, and in the Kullu Valley, you can buy beautiful scarves and goat wool scarves. Bed covers and zphulkari kilims are usually from Punjab. The city of Barmer is also famous for embroidery, located near the border with Pakistan, southwest of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Batik from Indonesia has been adopted throughout the country.
Silk saris
Benares is famous for making silk saris. This garment, popular in India, consists of a 5.5-meter long silk belt, if it comes with a blouse, the so-called. coli, then its length comes to 6 m. This fabric is sold by weight, by measuring it in grams per meter. For plain silk, whose meter weighs no more than 60 g, you have to pay 3,20 INR per gram. I play chiffon, which usually comes out per meter 20 g, it costs 4,50 INR. The price of a sari made of this material with patterns can go as high as 600 INR. A thin saree, such as is found in Kanchipurama, weighs approx. 400 g, the weight of others may be as high as 600 g. I play "golden" silk jerri, the only one, which does not tarnish, it costs 12,50 INR. Trimming of this fabric with a width of over 1 cm, weighs 25 I play and is worth approx. 320 INR, and for a 2-centimeter one (35 g) you have to pay 450 INR. Of course, this amount must be added to the price of silk, who makes the saree.
Bronze figurines
On the south, using ancient technology, extremely delicate and tiny idols of gods are made. First, a figurine is cast from the wax, and then the appropriate form is made according to it. When the wax melts, hot metal is poured into the mold. When it freezes, the artisan breaks the mold, extracting a god figure from broken shells. The most popular are the images of dancing Siwa.
Wood sculpture
In the south too, statues of gods are carved, this time from sandalwood, and from rosewood, animal figurines are made, especially elephants. In some centers, furniture and other household appliances are made, both varnished, as well as from raw wood. Kashmir is famous for its intricately carved screens, tables, caskets, trays and similar items, made from the Indian nut tree. They are usually decorated with ornaments similar to these, which are on Kashmiri houseboats. The wooden carvings in the old temples are equally magnificent.
Painting
You can buy reproductions of beautiful miniature paintings almost everywhere. However, beware of antique dealers, because they rarely offer authentic works. It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the miniature and its price, and watch more of them, so as not to spend money on a worthless item.
Antiques
Works of art, counting more than 100 years, cannot be exported from India without an Export Clearing Certificate. Tourists, who are not sure, whether the items they purchase will be classified as antiques, should contact one of the institutions listed below:
Bombay
Superintending Archaeologist, Antiquities, Archaeological Survey of India, Sion Fort
Calculate
Superintending Archaeologist, Eastern Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, Narayani Bldg, Brabourne Rd
Delhi
Director, Antiquities, Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath
Cashmere (Srinagar)
Superintending Archaeologist, Frontier Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, Minto Bridge Madras
Superintending Archaeologist, Southern Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, Fort St George
Other souvenirs
Tourists often take with them to the country pieces of Agra marble mosaics, reminding them of the beauty of the Taj Mahal. They are also used to make larger items, for example, caskets.
Music has been one of India's greatest tourist attractions for many years, although nowadays fewer and fewer tourists are buying Indian instruments, such as sitar or tabla. Cassettes and CDs with Indian music recordings are much less of a problem. There are also CDs with Western music. In this respect, the streets of Indian cities resemble the stands in Bangkok, Bali or Singapore. You have to remember, that most of these tapes are played illegally, and the quality of the recordings leaves much to be desired. You usually have to pay for the cartridge 50 INR.
There is no shortage of sturdy and cheap, Western-style shoes in Indian shoe stores. A good-quality pair of men's shoes costs approx. 1000 INR, so much less than in the West.
Items for sale
You can sell almost anything in India, which comes from Europe, however, the cameras enjoy the least recognition here, tape recorders and video equipment. The Indian market is simply flooded with these items. In addition, customs officers often enter them in the passport, that the tourist brings electronic equipment to the country. However, if it is necessary to sell something, ideally it should be whiskey, which is often looked for in the markets in Calcutta, Delhi or Madras.