Handicrafts of Goa – Capturing the Fancies of Tourists

What is the first thing which comes to your mind when you hear – GOA?

Relaxing Beaches, unique marine life, delicious seafood, historical museums, Catholic Church, Temples and of course Feni.

Goa is located on the southwestern coasts of India; every year nearly thousands of tourist visit Goa to enjoy its scenic beauty. People even come from many parts of the world for its handicrafts. Handicrafts of Goa showcase its rich tradition that has blends of Portuguese and Indian Culture. It can be stated that the contemporary art runs in Goa artisans. The artisans make souvenirs crafts for tourists.

The crafts of Goa are intricately astonishing, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts are a mirror of Goa’s perennial beauty. Handicrafts of Goa include shell work, creative pottery, brass work, furniture, bamboo work, paper mache, etc.

Other traditional handicrafts of Goa are the

• • Cotton bags

• • Wooden toys

• • The excellent shopping bags

• • Table mats and Coconut or Pineapple fibre

• • Jute Macrame

• • Fabric Collage

• • Plaster of Paris

• • Crochet and embroidery

• • Fibre and batik prints along with the Fibre stone carving

• • Coconut shell carving

• • Metal embossing

• • Silver and imitation jewellery

• • Cotton Dolls and Soft Toys

• Wooden tapestry, and artistic weaving

In 1980, the Government of Goa introduced a fair called GHRSSIDC (Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation) to promote the Goan artisans work.

Let’s talk in brief about the extraordinary handicrafts items of GOA.

POTTERY & TERRACOTTA

Pottery & Terracotta handicrafts can be used in two ways. They are utility cum decorative handicrafts items. The artisans of Goa designed them with real perfection and gave the realistic finish. The items which come under it are the flower pots, table lamps, bowls and floral design, statues of God’s, ashtray, and pen holders, etc.

WOODEN LACQUERWARE/WOOD TURNING

Lacquer Handicrafts are the blend of metal and wood. Some of the famous lacquer handicrafts of Goa are baby carts, toys, corner stands, etc. which are used mostly by Hindu families on religious occasions.

BAMBOO CRAFT

Goa is well-renowned for its bamboo industries. Some of the bamboo handicrafts include flower baskets, mats, letter-holders, pen stands, fans and other decorative items.

FIBRE CRAFT

Corlim is Goa is the major centre of fibre work. Beautiful shopping bags, ladies purses, coasters, wall hangings and other decorative handicrafts are made up of banana or sisal fibre.

BRASS METAL WARE

The Goan artisans craft beautiful metal handicrafts. The items they produce are oil lamps of various designs, candle stands, ashtrays, church bells and much more.

JUTE MACRAME CRAFT

Jute handicrafts are famous throughout the India. Some of the great just handicrafts crafts by Goan artisans are bags, belts, wall hangings, lamp shades, flower pots, hangers, etc.

COCONUT MASK CARVING

Coconut trees is abundantly cultivated in Goa, and the Goa souvenirs craft beautiful mask faces on coconut shells.

SEA SHELL CRAFT

The sea shell art of Goa includes ashtrays, lamp shades, coasters, chandeliers, curtains, pot hangers, table mats, clocks, mirror frames, etc.

There are some places which you can visit in Goa to purchase these handicrafts are the Government of Goa Emporia, Handicrafts Emporium in Panaji, Gulf Supermarket at Panaji, Maganlal Changi at Panaji, and several hotels and souvenir shops.