Pipli

The little village of Pipli is famous throughout India for its brightly colored appliqué work that incorporates peacocks, elephants, parrots, trees, lotuses, jasmine, the sun, and Rahu (a naughty demon who gulps down the sun). Pipli has been producing this craft for centuries. Dozens of shops line both sides of the main street, crammed with piles of cheery beach umbrellas, lampshades, wall hangings, bags, and more, in patchworks of primary greens, yellows, blues, and reds with little circular bits of mirror inset for sparkle. All the shops offer pretty much the same traditional fare. In a few you'll see some attempts at modern design, and here and there you may catch an artisan at work.