Art and Culture:

Himroo:

Himroo is a distinctive weaving technique known for its magnificence. The fabric used is a combination of cotton and silk and shines with the luster of satin. This art form is believed to have originated in Persia. The weaves include plain lines woven in various geometrical designs with motifs drawn from nature, religious verses, and portraits of rulers. The weaves also feature patterns of local fruits, flowers, birds, and animals. The Himroo shawls have an extra layer of loose silk weft and that is why they are so soft and feel like silk.

Himroo found its way to Aurangabad during the reign of Mohammad Tughlaq, when he shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and resettled the weavers from Gujarat, Banaras, and Ahmedabad to his new capital.

Kagzipura:

Before the Mongol invaders came to India, Kagzipura in Khuldabad in Aurangabad district is believed to be the only place in India where the handmade paper was produced. It was on the paper produced here that the Quran was printed. The unique art of paper-making is about 700 years old, dating back to the times of Muhammad Tughalaq, the Sultan of Delhi.

Bidriware:

Bidriware is the pride of Bidar, near Aurangabad, and is an indigenous handicraft tradition that garners a lot of admiration and appreciation. Practiced on zinc and copper, and inlaid with pure silver or thin sheets, it is a delicate art and remarkably intricate. Bidri items can be found in most arts and crafts shops of Hyderabad and regular tours are organized by local heritage tour companies to Bidar, where visitors can watch the artisans at work. 

The process of making these beautiful articles is a complicated one and the elementary material used in an alloy of zinc and copper in the ratio 16:1. Then, artistic patterns are etched on this alloy. The process involves eight stages. First, molding is done, which is followed by smoothing with a file. Chiseling and engraving are done thereafter. The most amazing step is the inlaying of silver, which is followed by smoothing, buffing, and then oxidizing the product by ammonium chloride and soil. The chemicals in this soil are believed to give a lustrous black colour to the products. The main articles that you can buy here include vases, goblets, candle holders, jewelry boxes, wine decanters, and hookahs.