Golden Khokhloma and fur mosaic: famous folk crafts presented at the National Centre RUSSIA stand in India
Golden curls of Khokhloma painting and Yugra fur mosaic — visitors to "INNOPROM. India" were able to see how works by Russian artisans are created and discover the secrets of traditional techniques. Demonstration workshops were held in the cultural zone at the National Centre RUSSIA stand in New Delhi.
One of Russia's most recognisable styles of decorative painting was presented by Yelena Galkina, an artisan from the Nizhny Novgorod Region. She showed visitors the basic techniques of Khokhloma painting and, using a wooden spoon as an example, demonstrated how its distinctive floral ornament gradually takes shape — from the main guiding line and individual brush techniques to leaves, berries, blades of grass and tendrils. She paid particular attention to the traditional "upper painting" technique, executed in the red, black and golden colours characteristic of Khokhloma. The composition is completed with razzhivka — fine detailing that gives the pattern greater expression and depth.
"Khokhloma is not simply a brand of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, but a brand of Russia, known far beyond its borders. Its value lies in the handmade work, the unique technique and the people who preserve this craftsmanship. We do not use gold paint or precious metals, but through a complex process we create the distinctive golden colour that makes Khokhloma instantly recognisable. At the same time, the craft should not remain merely a memory of the past: Khokhloma can become part of stylish contemporary interior design and appear on lamps, vases and accessories. It is important to preserve the tradition with care while also giving it room to develop," said Yelena Galkina.
Another workshop introduced visitors to the traditional craft of the Khanty and Mansi peoples — fur mosaic. Artisans Maria Igisheva and Yelena Fedotova from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra showed how an ornamented needlework bag known as a tuchan khir is made from reindeer hide. Visitors to the fair saw the main stages of the process: preparing the hide by hand, selecting and joining pieces of fur, and creating the ornament. Thread made from reindeer sinew is used to stitch together the strips of fur mosaic. Similar techniques were traditionally used to make clothing, footwear and household items.
"We continue to showcase the craftsmanship of our artisans from Yugra. This is fur mosaic. Such fur mosaics were used for both footwear and fur coats, and today we are showing how a women's needlework bag is made. It is important for us to show that these techniques are being preserved and continue to live on," said Yelena Fedotova.
The technique, unusual for an Indian audience, attracted considerable interest among visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA space: guests approached the artisans, examined the materials and finished pieces, asked questions and tried some of the techniques themselves.
"They are very surprised. When we tell them about this craft, it is naturally unfamiliar to them: for India, this is very warm clothing, and they simply do not need such things. But they say it is very beautiful. We explain that Russia is renowned for many different folk crafts and traditions, including those of the North, where artisans continue to preserve traditional techniques. And this is something we have in common: there is still a great deal of handcraft in India too," the artisan noted.
The demonstration workshops were held as part of the presentation of folk arts and crafts at "INNOPROM. India", where the National Centre RUSSIA presented its stand featuring the flagship Department Store project and a cultural zone. The space introduces visitors to the diversity of traditions across Russia's regions and shows how the legacy of Russian artisans continues to live on in contemporary art and design.
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The Department Store, the flagship project of the National Centre RUSSIA, has become the heart of the International Industrial Trade Fair "INNOPROM".
