Craft inspiration for your craft projects

Craft inspiration around every corner!

Creativity is a passion to create and you won"t stop creating on this craft tour. With a different and unique craft arranged for you throughout your travels, you will learn ancient techniques that has been kept alive through generations by the creativity of others. You can apply any of these crafting skills to your own art and craft projects. It refreshing to try new thongs that you would never think to try. Take a look at only a few of the destinations that await you on a craft tour to Kerala, India. Get creative and have fun!

 

A Trip to the Vellar Craft Village

Vellar is a hamlet nestled into the rocky countryside of Thiruvananthapuram not far from Kovalam. It is one of the region’s newest craft tourism destinations, and boasts traditional handicraft stalls, modern shopping and recreational facilities and eateries of all kinds.

Having recently received an upgrade and remodelling costing more than 700 million Rs, one of its biggest draws is a large covered theatre where there is training in a variety of local handicrafts – including the use of local coconuts and coconut shells. Several governmental and government-related agencies and projects give their support in order to bring these traditional local crafts back into the public eye in the Craft Village.



 

Palm Leaf Weaving

Southern Kerala is known for its weaving and basket-making using palm leaves. Young, tender palm leaves are harvested and their ribs removed before being dried in the sun. They are used to make all manner of handicrafts, including bowls, shades, folding fans and many other ornamental and practical objects. You can learn the techniques of palm leaf weaving that have been handed down in distinct families for generations.



 

Mannar & Aranmula Bell metal crafting centres

Kerala has long been associated with traditional metalworking crafts, including iron, silver, gold and bronze, but also ‘bell metal’. Bell metal is akin to bronze, but it has a unique ratio of 78% copper to 22% tin, and is traditionally used in the region for temple bells, lamps and religious statuary.

It is heavy yet extremely durable, and is particularly prized for its ability to withstand heat and fire, which is why it is also used for cooking pots and utensils. At the bell metal crafting centres of Mannar and Aranmula, you can learn how these items and more have been crafted for generations.

 

 

 

Kanjirappilly Plantation

The Kanjirappilly region, sometimes spelled Kanjirapally, is known for its gently rolling hills and warm, pleasant weather. Naturally, this is amazing agricultural land, and it has long been the site of many sprawling plantations. Located amidst this pastoral wonder are the Kanjirappilly Plantation Bungalows. These well-appointed homes away from home are just a few hours from Cochin, and also convenient to both Periyar and Kumarakom. While we’re there, you can even tour the plantation!

 

Ayurveda & Yoga

Ayurveda is the medical tradition of ancient India. It is said that the Hindu god Dhanvantari incarnated himself as the king of historical Varanasi to teach these arts to humans for the first time. However, modern scholars suggest that the core of Ayurvedic medicine and thought goes back much farther, possibly before the rise of the Indus Valley Civilisation which predated India.

Ayurvedic practices form the core of most modern day ‘complimentary’ or ‘alternative’ medical techniques, many of which are practiced in the UK. Here, you’ll get a chance to learn about Ayurveda from traditional practitioners directly.



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Fabric Design - Dabu

Fabric Design

On our Colouricious textile holiday to India you will see some amazing fabric design, produced through a number of different ways, all using block printing. One of the most interesting fabric design techniques is Dabu printing.

Dabu printing is a method of fabric design using block printing and mud.This method of fabric design ensures the fabric has a magnificent quality and appearance. The process of uses lots of natural dyes and vegetable pastes, and is done entirely manually, which means it can be very hard work. However this hard work seems to pay off, since the finished product is beautifully vibrant, with amazing prints!

Dabu printing is a method of block printing, and you will be able to see Dabu printing first hand on our Colouricious block printing holiday to Jaipur, India. You will also see some of the block prints being made by hand – some of which can be found on the Colouricious shop! This is an incredible experience, essential for you if you love fabric design, block printing or arts and crafts! As well as block printing you will be able to see several other methods first hand.

You should take a look at the Colouricious block printing textile holiday to Jaipur, ideal for any who loves fabric design! You’ll be able to see the whole process of fabric design and block printing first hand.

Why not take a look at the wide range of printing blocks available at our Colouricious shop? Here you can not only browse our fabulous collection of wooden printing blocks, but learn how to use them with your fabric printing!

Take a look at our other Colouricious textile tours. They will be equally as amazing for any fabric design enthusiast, we offer so many destinations – from the Golden Triangle in India to a trip through Vietnam, or even Houston, Texas in the USA!

Fabric Design - Dabu

Fabric Printing Techniques

Fabric Printing Techniques

On our Colouricious block printing holiday you will be able to learn from the many different fabric printing techniques you will get to see. This trip is perfect for every fan of block printing since you will be able to see such a large range of fabric printing techniques. From block printing to Dabu printing, this holiday is amazing. The vibrant colours and fabulously detailed designs of the fabric printing will have you so inspired, so that when you get home you too will be able to try out these fabric printing techniques! The fabric printing industry in India is so exciting and you will get to witness such an interesting part of it on our Colouricious block printing holiday to India this December. You will be personally escorted to many fabric printing workshops and be able to learn and understand a wide range of new fabric techniques.

      

  

You will find the Colouricious block printing holiday perfect if you love arts and crafts!

Take a look at some of our other Colouricious textile holidays available.

You can find some amazingly designed Colouricious block prints in our shop.

Fabric Printing Techniques

Rajasthan - Pushkar Camel Fair - India Travel

Rajasthan – The Pushkar Camel Fair – India Travel

The Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual five-day camel fair held in the town of Pushkar on the banks of the Pushkar Lake in the state of Rajasthan, India, where we will be visiting on our Colouricious textile holidays! The sand dunes will be teeming with camels (many dressed very elaborately) as far as the eyes can see while the population of Pushkar swells to over 200,000 people, with an inflow of pilgrims, camel traders, and tourists. It’s a fascinating but very strange sight, nevertheless a great opportunity to witness an old traditional style Indian festival.   It is one of the world’s largest camel fairs. Competitions such as the “matka phod“, “longest moustache”, and “bridal competition” are the main draws for this fair, which attracts thousands of tourists.

        

Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats. The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. A camel race starts off the festival, with music, songs and exhibitions to follow. 

Pilgrims come to this festival to bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar’s lake and be rid of their sins. The two days around the full moon are considered to be the most important time of the year for bathing in the lake. Those who bathe on the day of the full moon are said to receive special blessings.

The highlight is definitely the camel races, although the comical beauty contests featuring elaborately decorated and shaved camels are also fun. There’s temple dancing, folk and classical music, and arts an crafts bazaar as well, something for everyone, and never leaving you bored!

Come on our Colouricious textile holiday to Rajasthan to experience and explore this exciting and unique event!

Explore our other available Colouricious textile holidays.

Learn more about the Pushkar Camel Fair.

Rajasthan - Pushkar Camel Fair - India Travel

Diwali | India Holiday Packages

Diwali – India Holiday Packages

Come and visit Rajasthan during the amazing festival of Diwali with us on our India holiday packages where we go on a spectacular textile tour!

Jaipur Palace Diwali

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world – although it is not exclusively celebrated by people of these religions – many other people join in on the festivities too! The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, and is the most exciting of all Indian festivals!

This favourite festival of Indians commences every year on the dark nights of Diwali with the sound of firecrackers. Homes are decorated beautifully, tasty sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of colourful lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. It is enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity, which you will be able to experience on our textile tours. 

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India: in northern India (including Rajasthan) and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama’s return from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his subsequent coronation as king. Whatever may be the fables and legends behind the celebrations of Diwali, all people exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewellery. You are sure to be impressed if you come on our Colouricious textile tour of Rajasthan.

Learn more about Diwali

Come on our Colouricious textile holiday to Rajasthan to experience the fabulous festival of Diwali!

Explore our other available fabulous Colouricious textile holidays.

Diwali | India Holiday Packages