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Ancient epic the Mahabharata has the reference of people making glass. Probably this is oldest reference of this novel handicraft. The Mughal rulers gave an impetus to the craft
of glass making. Glass items such as perfume
bottles, tumblers etc belonging to this
period were made in different shapes and
decorations. The Mughals had a fascination
for colored glass. The Mughals take the credit of introducing
the art of glass engraving in India. Delicate
foliated designs on glass objects, of this
period reflects the high degree of skill
of the craftsmen.
The present day glass making industry in
India revolves around making items like,
bottles, bangles, beads etc.
Bangles are an integral part of the traditional
Indian jewelry. Glass bangles of different
colors are very popular amongst the womenfolk
of the Indian plains. Women in the villages
of this region wear red glass bangles, which
signifies that they are newly married. Glass
bangles continue to be in vogue, with innumerable
colors and patterns.
Ferozabad, in Uttar Pradesh, is known for
the production of glass bangles and utilitarian
glassware. An entire community of skilled
craftsmen is located here and is engaged
in making high quality glassware.
India is world famous for glass beads.
Banaras is the main center for the production
of glass beads. Purdilpur is famous for
its black glass beads.
Ferozabad produces fragile and lightweight
glass beads.
Traditional ornate paintings from Tanjore,
depicting deities are made on glass, using
gold.
In the urban areas of India there is a
rage for fancy glass products and decorative
pieces like, ornate glass chandeliers and
lighting pieces, glass sculptures, engraved
crockery etc.
Glass painting and stained glasswork are
becoming popular these days and are all
set to gain the status of a unique urban
craft. People in the metropolitan cities
have developed the taste for decorating
the windowpanes of their homes with murals
made from coloured glass.
Indian glass industry caters to the daily
needs of the consumers and is responsible
for making of a vast range of articles such
as, crockery, bottles, stylish beads, paper
weights, glass pens etc.
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