New Delhi: Karnataka stands among India’s richest craft landscapes, housing nearly 45 GI-tagged products that reflect centuries of skill and cultural exchange.
National Tourism Day draws attention to these living traditions that continue to shape local economies and identities. Art hubs spread across the state invite travellers to look beyond monuments and explore workshops, homes, and streets where craft remains a way of life rooted in patience, discipline, and pride, handed down through generations with care and community memory intact today, alive.
Craft tourism offers immersive experiences through stories, materials, and human connection. On National Tourism Day, Karnataka’s painting styles, textiles, metalwork, toys, architecture, and folk art reveal how heritage survives through adaptation. Each destination carries techniques shaped by climate, belief, and everyday need, turning travel into learning that feels personal and enduring for curious travellers seeking depth and meaning today here.
Top destinations in Karnataka famous for crafts
1. Mysore paintings
Mysore paintings developed under royal patronage during the Vijayanagara era and later flourished under the Wodeyar dynasty. Known for natural colours, fine brushwork, and delicate gold detailing, these paintings portray deities and mythological scenes with gentle expressions and ornate attire. The technique values durability and precision, making each artwork a long-lasting cultural record.
2. Sandalwood and wood carving
Karnataka’s forest regions support a long-standing wood carving tradition, especially using sandalwood. Artisans create sculptures, panels, and decorative objects featuring floral motifs, animals, and divine figures. The smooth texture and subtle fragrance of sandalwood add depth and refinement to each piece, blending artistry with spiritual significance.
3. Channapatna toys
Channapatna is known for its colourful lacquer toys crafted through a three-century-old tradition. Made using ivory wood, natural dyes, and lacquer, these non-toxic toys include figurines, jewellery, and decor items. The careful shaping and polishing process gives each piece a bright finish while preserving safety and sustainability.
4. Chitrakathi scroll painting
Chitrakathi combines painted scrolls with oral storytelling linked to epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Artists use bold colours, expressive forms, and repeating patterns to support live narration. Traditionally painted on handmade paper using natural pigments, the art form remains closely tied to performance and collective memory.
5. Kasuti embroidery
Kasuti embroidery dates back to the Chalukyan period and is known for counted-thread techniques. Practised across northern Karnataka districts, the embroidery features geometric and architectural motifs stitched using precise patterns. Each piece reflects patience and mathematical accuracy, often created for ceremonial and everyday wear.
6. Chittara folk art
Chittara is a tribal art form practised by the Deewaru community. Painted using natural materials, it depicts village life, rituals, animals, and symbolic patterns. The geometric designs carry cultural meanings linked to marriage, prosperity, time, and unity, offering insight into indigenous belief systems.
7. Silk weaving
Mysore silk sarees represent Karnataka’s textile excellence. Introduced during royal rule with imported looms and sericulture initiatives, these sarees feature pure silk fabric with gold zari borders. Produced under Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation, the weave remains synonymous with elegance and ceremonial wear.
8. Bidriware
Bidriware developed during the 16th century through Indo-Islamic influence. Crafted using a zinc and copper alloy, the metal turns deep black after oxidation. Artisans inlay silver patterns depicting flora, birds, and geometric designs, creating a striking contrast and refined finish.
9. Guthu houses
Guthu houses reflect Karnataka’s domestic architectural heritage. Built using teak or rosewood, these homes feature carved pillars, wooden ceilings, swings, and a central open space. The design balances comfort and craftsmanship, highlighting woodwork as both structure and ornament.
10. Stone carving
Stone carving remains central to Karnataka’s temple tradition, especially under the Hoysala school. Sculptors follow ancient guidelines to create idols and reliefs depicting deities and mythological narratives. The precision and detailing continue to define temple art across villages and heritage sites.
National Tourism Day serves as a reminder that Karnataka’s crafts are living traditions shaped by people and place. Exploring these destinations allows travellers to connect with history through skill, creativity, and community life.
