Sawantwadi is famed for glossy lacquered wooden fruit and for Ganjifa — circular hand-painted playing cards depicting the avatars of Vishnu. The royal Chitari families have revived this courtly miniature art.
- Region of origin:
- Maharashtra
- Materials:
- wood; lac; natural-pigment
- Techniques:
- lacquerware; hand-painted playing cards
- HS code (customs):
- 9503
Products
About Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa
Sawantwadi is famed for glossy lacquered wooden fruit and for Ganjifa — circular hand-painted playing cards depicting the avatars of Vishnu. The royal Chitari families have revived this courtly miniature art.
- Region of origin
- Maharashtra
- Materials
- wood; lac; natural-pigment
- Techniques
- lacquerware; hand-painted playing cards
- HS code (customs)
- 9503
How it’s made
lacquerwarehand-painted playing cards
The makers
Crafted by Sawantwadi Chitari of Maharashtra.
Buying Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa — questions, answered
- Are VedikCraft's Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa pieces hand-painted or prints?
- Every Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa piece is genuinely handmade by a named artisan — one of a kind, never a print or machine copy.
- What does an authentic Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa piece cost?
- Handmade Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa typically ranges from ₹500 to ₹30,000, depending on size, detail and the artisan.
- How do I care for a Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa piece?
- Keep Sawantwadi Wooden Craft & Ganjifa out of prolonged direct sunlight and damp, and dust it gently. Because each piece is handmade from natural materials, slight variations are part of its character.
Related crafts
GI-certified authenticity
Rooted in India’s registered craft traditions
Artisan-direct
Made by the makers — fair, direct earnings
Traceable provenance
Every piece carries its maker, region & origin