Embroidery can be defined as Painting with a Needle? That's what I think embroidery is. Isn't embroidery a form of self expression for us women? The fabric is a canvas, where we women, paint pictures our lives, reflecting our desires, hopes, aspirations, using the colours of our cultures, traditions, religious beliefs and regional influences.
In India, for the Rich, embroidery always meant flaunting their wealth, status and for standing out amongst others. For the poor and middle class, it is a way to strengthen old and much used cloth, to cover tear and wear, to lengthen life of the clothes for some more time, to indicate the region or group to which they belong and a way to reflect the love of the woman doing it for her man or son or daughter. I for one believe that embroideries are an expression of our love for the person for whom we are stitching them.
Indian embroideries according to me can be broadly classified into two categories:
The following are the various types/styles of Indian embroideries ;
This is the applique and mirror work from Pippli Orissa
This is the patch work with mirrors and gold threads from Gujarath
I have covered major styles here, might have missed some and some may be same technique but with different names. As I am still gathering information on these styles, I am learning along with you all. So as and when I take up a particular style, I will try to give as much information about it as possible. But the subject is so vast and material is not so easily available. I am referring various books and articles and trying to bring them all together and organise them into proper form. Let us see. But if any one reading this post can add to or correct it, I will be very happy please.
In India, for the Rich, embroidery always meant flaunting their wealth, status and for standing out amongst others. For the poor and middle class, it is a way to strengthen old and much used cloth, to cover tear and wear, to lengthen life of the clothes for some more time, to indicate the region or group to which they belong and a way to reflect the love of the woman doing it for her man or son or daughter. I for one believe that embroideries are an expression of our love for the person for whom we are stitching them.
Indian embroideries according to me can be broadly classified into two categories:
- The Folk and Tribal embroideries and
- The embroideries for the Rich and the Nobility or Urban
The following are the various types/styles of Indian embroideries ;
- Aari Bharath
- Ahir Bharath
- Abhla Bharath
- Agothi
- Applique
- Bagh
- Banjara
- Bharath
- Bidri
- Chamba
- Chikankari
- Darawadi
- Dhebaria
- Gota Kinara
- Heer Bharath
- Jhat
- Kabira and Khudi Tebha
- Khambhiro
- Kharek
- Kanbi Bharath
- Kanta
- Karchobi
- Kasuti
- Kashida from Bihar
- kashida from Kashmir
- Kathi
- Mochi Bharath
- Moti Bharath
- Mutwa
- Neran
- Pakko Bharath
- Patch work
- Patti ka kaam
- Phulkari
- Pichwai
- Rabari
- Sadu Bharath
- Sindhi Taropa
- Soi Bharath
- Soof
- Sujani
- Toda
- Zardosi
- Leather embroidery
This is the applique and mirror work from Pippli Orissa
This is the patch work with mirrors and gold threads from Gujarath
I have covered major styles here, might have missed some and some may be same technique but with different names. As I am still gathering information on these styles, I am learning along with you all. So as and when I take up a particular style, I will try to give as much information about it as possible. But the subject is so vast and material is not so easily available. I am referring various books and articles and trying to bring them all together and organise them into proper form. Let us see. But if any one reading this post can add to or correct it, I will be very happy please.
2 comments:
shailaja,
it wouls be more useful if you can provide worked patterns for each style of Indian embroidery.
good information...
Thank you Lakshmi, I would be posting as and when I take up each style separately
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