Design Resource
Lac Bangles - Jaipur, Rajasthan
Handcrafted Sparkling Bangles
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S. and Manmi Dutta
Introduction
Traditional ornaments worn by women in India, covering their wrists are named as Bangles. Bangles hold a very significant place in the life of Indian women. Bangles are made of gold, silver and many other alloys. Lac bangles produced in Jaipur are considered divine and is compulsory for newly married females to wear them in Jaipur, Rajasthan of India. The bangles are created in amazing varieties and are decorated with lovely stones, colours and metal embedding etc. In India a new bride is distinguished by her bangles and it is also considered a doom to see a women uncovered wrist after her marriage. Bangles are known by many different names across the country. There is a high demand for lac bangles mostly during festivals and occasions in India. Even foreign people has started adorning these Lac bangles and are even exporting these bangles to foreign countries. Many tourists from foreign countries comes to India in search of Lac Bangles, stays in India for few months practicing this craft and after learning goes back to their countries to produce lac bangles. Jaipur is recognized as a chief centre of art and crafts in India. The pink city (Jaipur), India was founded in the year 1727 by the King of Amer, Jai Singh II. Jaipur has a wide range of handicrafts depicting history and stories. The pink city is also prominent for its Lac Bangles which is easily available in Jaipur in various different designs. Lac Bangles are in high demand in India as they are considered as a lucky symbol of married women. Lac is the natural resin secreted by a tiny insect collected from trees and is further processed by traditional craftsmen to create Lac bangles. Lac Shellacs are made and sold in the wholesale shops for the craftsmen. Shellac is the developed form of lac which is acquired from seed lac in the shape of thin flakes. This traditional handicraft practiced in Jaipur, Rajasthan in India is prepared by ancient methods passed down by earlier generations.
Babu Khan with age 61 years is a resident of Maniharon ka Rasta, Jaipur, India has been performing this craft from ages. Lac bangle making was taught to him by his father. This craft has been in their family from seven generations and though the designs has developed through time the method of making the lac bangles remains the same as earlier. Maniharon ka Rasta is the area which is famous for hand crafted sparkling Lac bangles, and Babu Khan is widely known for his Lac Bangles in this area. Babu Khan has his own small shop where he sells different varieties of Lac bangles decorated with stones. He along with his two sons prepares lac Bangles for customers and earns their living. Babu Khan has also taught this craft to many foreign people.
