Roopayan- Art Arcade

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 Sultans of Malwa made Mandu, the largest walled city in the world, into Shadiabad or "the Abode of Pleasure", with some of the greatest palaces and pavilions of medieval India. The district is home to the Bhil-Bhilala tribe who form 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 skills 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 audiences. From export products like Bagh prints to new products like Gatha stones, the range of products is great. For the ethnically inclined, beadwork is a favoured 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 ancients 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, districts administration and Zila Panchayat have been continuously active.

Marketing support has been given through the district supply and marketing agency, (DSMA) which is a registered society with collector as chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the jila panchayat as secretary. Jila panchayat has created two showrooms under the name of ROOPAYAN at the tourist sites of Dhar and Mandu. Besides this showrooms, it is sending regular consignments to various places. It also take part in exhibitions and trade affairs.

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 and so are the vegetable dyes. These dyes are superior to chemical dyes in every respect. They leave no harmful residues. They have no harmful effects. They are biodegradable and eco friendly. And, they improve with each wash in shine and colour. The entire array of products ranging from bedcovers, sarees, dress material, dupatta, pillow covers and cushion covers is available. And they come with assured quality cloth, fast colours, certainly of their natural origins.

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

GATHA STONES
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 facade 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.

STONE JALI
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 and pavilions of Mandu, pride of place goes to the stone jali work (perforated stone lattice) which adorns the numerous windows, ventilators and 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 and splendour to your home or to any building.

BHIL WOODCRAFT
The woodcraft of the Bhils in teakwood is elaborate, intricate and exclusive in design and 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.

PITHORA PAINTING
The ancient Bhil tribe is known for this unique tribal art form. These paintings are a set of 61 scenes or pictograms, each of which has a specific magical meaning and significance. In this organic and alive art form, we see the joie de vivre that permeates the life and 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 and death.

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

METAL STATUES & CURIOUS
Decorative metal status and curios can be used on drawing room mantelpieces, in pooja. Or as mementos and gifts. They come in, silver, gold, bronze and enamel blue colours in sizes ranging from a few inches to several feet. Even lifesize can be made to order and delivered anywhere. Given a sample in metal, stone, or other hard material, metal replicas can be made.

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