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Dhar district is located west of Indore. The district is steeped in a wealth of history, culture and art. It is home to the ancient bagh cave frescoes which are one and a half millennium old.

Paramara King Bhoj made Dharanagari the principal seat of learning and arts in the country. The Sultan's of Malwa made Mandu, the largest walled city in the world in to Shadiabad or "the adobe of pleasure", with some of the greatest places and pavilions of medieval India. The district is home to the Bhil-Bhilala tribe who forms 53% of the population. The Bhil Culture is also rich and ancient.

In this melting pot of ancient Cultures and civilisational advances, the artistic and craft skill's of the people of the district developed and flourished. Today, this wealth of arts and crafts are finding ever greater recognition and patronage from Indian and international audience. From export products like Bagh prints to new products like Gatha Stones, the range of products is great. For the ethnically inclined, beadwork is favored item. For the architect, the interior decorator or the art connoisseur, there are stone jalis, Pithora Paintings, Gatha Stones, Bagh Prints, Bead hangings, exquisite teak woodwork and reprints of ancient Bagh frescoes on canvas. There are leather and metal articles, too.

All these can be made to order according to given designs, tastes or materials and delivered anywhere. To promote these arts and crafts, district administration and Zila Panchayat have been continuously active.

Marketing support has been through the District Supply & Marketing Agency, (DSMA) which is a registered society with Collector as chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat as Secretary. Zila Panchayat has created two showrooms under the name of ROOPAYAN at the tourist sites of Dhar & Mandu. Besides these Showrooms, it is sending regular consignments to various places. It also takes part in exhibition and trade fairs.

BAGH PRINTS

The dyers of Bagh have perfected the ancient technique of hand block printing with vegetable dyes unique to this place. Bagh prints are today exported in large quantities. The designs are exclusive to Bagh & so are the vegetable dyes. These dyes are superior to chemical dyes in every respect. They leave no harmful effects. They are biodegradable & eco-friendly. And, they improve with each wash in shine & colour. The entire array of products ranging from bed-covers, sarees, dress material, dupatta, pillow covers & cushion covers are available. Last but the least, they come with assured quality cloth, fast colours, certainty of their natural origins.

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BAGH FRESCO PRINTS

The millennium & a half old Bagh cave frescoes inspired the Bengal Renaissance of Indian painting when Shantiniketan laureates like Nandalal Bose & Asit Haldar copied the works. Today, only these copies survive. The scenes relate to jataka tales from Lord Buddha's previous lives & are notable for their grace, pulsating energy, rhythm & wealth of imagery.

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Bhils lay beautiful stones to commemorate events of special significance in their lives. These stones are a great addition to any lawn, garden, rockery or entrance gatepost. Embedded in a wall, they could enliven a room, a building façade or gallery. Bhils prefer to paint their stones in bright primary Colours. Painted, or in the raw, a Gatha stone is certain to be a powerful presence wherever it is placed.

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 The ancient Bhil tribe is known for this unique tribal art form. These paintings are asset of 61 scenes or pictograms, each of which has a specific magical meaning & significance. In this organic & alive art form, we see the joie de vivre that permeates the life & the soul of the free born Bhil. This painting is done by a select few men of the tribe who have handed down these images of the Bhil collective psyche over generations as a sacred duty. They are painted on mud-walls on all occasions of socio-religious significance like birth & death.

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Decorative metal statues & curios can be used on drawing room mantelpieces, in pooja or as mementoes & gifts. They come in silver, gold, bronze & enamel blue Colours in sizes ranging from a few inches to several feet. Even lifestyle statues can be made to order & delivered anywhere. Given a sample in metal, stone or any other hard material, metal replicas can be made.

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BEADWORK

Bhil women are adept at producing bead necklaces, bracelets, armbands, anklets, earrings and hangings of exquisite variety & beauty. The designs range from simple single-stringed necklaces to intricate designs with cross-linking rows of beads. The multi-coloured matt & glossy bead jewellery is an asset to every woman's ensemble. If you want to go ethnic, this is it.

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BHIL WOODCRAFT

The woodcraft of the Bhils in teakwood is elaborate, intricate & exclusive in design & conception. The carved teak lamp-stands can also be used as candle-stands or simply as wall decoration. Usually taken in pairs, they can liven up any drawing room wall. The Thala is a circular hollowed out teak trunk on four posts, with every inch of its exterior elaborately carved. Originally meant to hold a chakki or grindstone, it is used today as drawing room decoration, glass top table, deep cushion seat, magazine bin or for keeping pots, vases etc.

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The Afghan Sultans of Malwa adorned their capital Mandu with several of the greatest monuments of Medieval India. Among the many architectural devices adorning the palaces & pavilions of Mandu, pride of place goes to the stone jail work (perforated stone lattice), which adorns the numerous windows, ventilators & arched entrances. The stone for these comes from the rich inner layers of the Jeerabad sandstone mines in the district. These jalis are made of pure sandstone, which is weatherproof and proof to the ravages of time. It is far superior to the coral-mixed poor sandstone from the upper-strata, which is cheaper but subject to the ravages of time and weather. These jalis can add a touch of mystique & splendour to your home or any building.

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A modern day leather-workers' guild has been set up at Doodhi in the district. Equipped with modern machinery, international designs, designer lasts & a fresh orientation, these leather-workers are producing leather shoes, sandals & other footwear. Their articles come with assurance of quality leather & sole, lasting strength & a very reasonable price tag for true leather.

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