Mahamaya: The Crafts and Craftsmen of Eastern India

Mahamaya: The Crafts and Craftsmen of Eastern India

🔹 Publisher: Crafts Council of West Bengal

🔹 Edition & Year: 1986 Edition

🔹 Binding: Paperback

🔹 Pages: 115

🔹 Size: 9.5 in × 9.5 in

Mahamaya: The Crafts and Craftsmen of Eastern India is a visually engaging and culturally significant work that celebrates the traditional crafts and artisans of Eastern India. This 1986 paperback edition (115 pages, large 9.5 × 9.5 inches format) offers both artistic value and documentary importance.

Published by the Crafts Council of West Bengal, the book reflects a deep commitment to preserving and promoting the region’s rich craft heritage. It highlights a wide variety of traditional art forms, including textiles, pottery, metalwork, woodcraft, and folk art, providing insight into the techniques and cultural contexts behind them.

One of the defining strengths of this volume is its focus on the craftsmen themselves. The book not only showcases the finished works but also emphasizes the skills, traditions, and lives of the artisans who create them. This human element adds depth and authenticity to the presentation.

The large square format allows for high-quality visual reproduction, making it particularly appealing as a coffee-table book. The illustrations help readers appreciate the intricate details, patterns, and textures that define Eastern Indian craftsmanship.

The writing style is descriptive and informative, offering context about the historical and cultural significance of each craft. It helps readers understand how these traditions have evolved and why they remain important.

As a publication of the Crafts Council of West Bengal, the book carries institutional and cultural importance. Such works are often produced in limited quantities, enhancing their collectible value.

Mahamaya is more than an art book—it is a tribute to the living traditions of Eastern India and the artisans who sustain them.

• ✦ Publisher: Crafts Council of West Bengal (1986 Edition)
• ✦ Format: Paperback, 115 pages
• ✦ Size: 9.5 × 9.5 inches – large square format
• ✦ Genre: Art / Cultural Study
• ✦ Subject: Traditional crafts of Eastern India
• ✦ Content: Craft techniques, artisan profiles, illustrations
• ✦ Themes: Heritage, craftsmanship, culture, tradition
• ✦ Writing Style: Descriptive and informative
• ✦ Cultural Importance: Documentation of regional crafts
• ✦ Ideal For: Art lovers, collectors, researchers
• ✦ Collector Value: Regional art publication

🔹 Collector’s Note

This 1986 paperback edition of Mahamaya: The Crafts and Craftsmen of Eastern India is a valuable collectible for those interested in Indian art and cultural heritage. Its large-format design, focus on traditional craftsmanship, and association with the Crafts Council of West Bengal make it an excellent addition to collections centered on Indian art, folk traditions, and rare regional publications.