Diverse varieties of Indian Embroideries

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 Folk and Tribal embroideries and
• The embroideries for the Rich and the Nobility or Urban

What is amazing is that  most of the Indian embroideries are folk or tribal embroideries and came from the hands of the nomads, villages and the poor. Due to invasions and trade links with other cultures and countries, there was always an intermingling between the people from different areas so also their cultures, languages, arts and crafts and cuisines. This has greatly influenced our arts and crafts and also embroideries to a great extent and evolved in into a very beautiful art.

The following are the various types/styles of Indian embroideries ;

1. Aari Bharath
2. Ahir Bharath
3. Abhla Bharath 
4. Agothi
   
5. Applique
6. Bagh
7. Banjara
8. Bharath
9. Bidri
10. Chamba
11. Chikankari
12. Darawadi
13. Dhebaria
14. Gota Kinara
15. Heer Bharath
16. Jhat
17. Kabira and Khudi Tebha 
18. Khambhiro
    
19. Kharek
20. Kanbi Bharath
21. Kanta
22. Karchobi
23. Kasuti
24. Kashida from Bihar
25. kashida from Kashmir
26. Kathi
27. Mochi Bharath
28. Moti Bharath
29. Mutwa
30. Neran
31. Pakko Bharath
32. Patch work
33. Patti ka kaam
34. Phulkari
35. Pichwai
36. Rabari 
37. Sadu Bharath
    
38. Sindhi Taropa 
39. Soi Bharath
    
40. Soof
41. Sujani
42. Toda
43. Zardosi
44. 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.