Fit For A King

Velvet Work

I don't know how to name this type of craft. Velvet work may not fit this particular craft but velvet cloth is used in this work. In one of the exhibitions, I came across a lady who was selling the bed linen, diwan set, cushion covers and such things made out of velvet cloth.

In Hyderabad there is considerable Muslim population. They have added to the rich cosmopolitan culture of the capital city Hyderabad and State of Andhra Pradesh. In fact all our traditions and customs across the religions and regions have blended in such a way that it has developed into a unique culture different from others. Whether it is the Deccani languageor dialect (a mixture of Urdu, Hindi and Telugu)  Biryani (Rice dish made of meat and veg or pure veg and spices) or the Sonabai Chudi (gold coloured glass bangles worn by the bride), the Itr or attar (perfume) or the Irani Chai (tea), it is just special to Hyderabad. The rulers of Quli Qutb Shahi Dynasty have added their Nawabi culture.

It is a custom in Muslim Marriages to gift their daughters apart from gold and silver, all household items, right from kitchen utensils, dinner sets and appliances, furniture like sofa sets, cots, wooden or iron cupboards and so on. This also includes, mattresses and bed linen too. In fact this custom or tradition is followed by all of us in India in varying degrees depending upon one's budget and tradition.

When a child is born(first) the daughter is gifted with a cradle and all paraphernalia. 

In Muslim weddings, bed linen and furnishings made of velvet are gifted. Here you can see how richly the lady has worked on the cushions and bed linen sets:

You can see the bed sheets  in the back ground. One has got self design and the other a gold print. You can also see apple green cushion in flower type. The red round cushions with bolsters and the red bed sheet all in velvet are Diwan set. Diwan is a low lying cot like wooden table used for sitting and also serves as cot for sleeping.

Here you can see lemon yellow cushion.

This is again Diwan set with square cushions and bolsters. 

Rainbow of colours and different shaped cushions were available. She had some very rare colours in velvet. But red is the most preferred colour for gifting on the occasions of marriages or child birth. Red and maroon look rich and with stand dust and dirt. 

I could not capture more of her creations nor could I speak to her much as she was very busy with her customers. But she was gracious enough to answer me as much as possible. She explained that she designs and gets the zardosi (gold work) or embroidery done on the bed spreads and linen as per customers requirement. I liked her creations very much, both traditional as well as modern; some very simple others very rich but all very creative.

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