A helping hand

Some regions of Andhra Pradesh have been hit by floods last month. Though there was not much loss of lives, there was of loss of property, crops, livestock worth millions of rupees.

India is a country of villages, where agriculture was and still is the main occupation. The crops that are grown here are diverse as the climatic conditions are. Our agriculture is dependent on monsoons mostly. The rivers and tanks are fed during the monsoon season.

This time around the monsoon which begins by mid June and continues till almost November-December, did not give much rains till mid September. A drought situation prevailed. But the heavy rains during the last weeks of September had resulted in floods in one of the main rivers-Krishna. Uasually in such situations the poor or lower middle class who settle along the banks of the rivers or tanks are the ones who are most affected. But this time around, the higher middle class and even the rich were not spared as Krishna waters entered the town of Kurnool. We all watched the horrifying scenes where people were perched atop fifth or higher storied buildings submerged up to fourth floor were crying out for help. Then they were rescued and shifted to camps. But their belongings and houses were destroyed by water. Even for the middle and upper middle class is it possible to replace all their belongins, repair their houses at one go?

They lost everything in their homes either to water or to the vandals who make most of it during the absence of the residents. All of us glued to our TV sets were praying for the safety of the people there. Hospitals, shops, police stations, everything was submerged under water. Thanks to our rescue teams, the people could at least save their lives.

The first few days we were busy packing food, water and medicines and sending them through various relief groups. Later on we pitched in by collecting cash, clothes, blankets, food stuff and other required articles as much as we could and send them there. We are still on the job.So many organisations, institutions, individuals are coming forward to help them. Specially the media helped a lot not only by telecasting the hardships, but they them selves rescued many and helped them by providing food and shelter. No matter how much we help, it is much less as millions, lost their everything and it will be months before they can even settle down. Those who were rich once and were giving a helping hand to others were seen embarrassed to be put in relief camps, but what could they do?

But what moved me the most were some little snippets of news. Children giving away their pocket monies and savings, beggars begging and donating from their earnings. One daily wage earner who is not sure of earning one square meal a day, donated his earnings of two days for flood victims. Its these selfless acts which should motivate other people who can afford but don't help out.

We have already decided not to celebrate Diwali and donate to those people. We are just going to restrict it to very low key-offering prayers and praying for all those brothers and sisters out there. How can we be happily celebrating when our own fellow country men are thrown out of their homes?

My humble request to any one reading this, please do help the victims by donating what you can however small it is . The Government or some organisations/institutions alone cannot help so many millions out there.

I just hope after reading my plea even one person helps in any way, it would be a blessing for all those suffering there........

Toda Embroidery "Pugur"

Toda is tribal embroidery from the Southern State of Tamil Nadu. The tribe known as Todu inhabit the Nilgiri hills. Both men and women wear a shawl known as"Puthukuli", which is their traditional costume and looks some what like Roman attire Toga. But the way women wear this is different from the way men wear it. The shawl is adorned with embroidered .Heavily embroidered attires are worn during ceremonies and festivities.

About Toda embroidery :

This is a very distinctive and intricate form of embroidery. It is known as"Pugur" meaning flower.The women of the tribe do the embroidery. The ground fabric used is cotton, which is coarse in texture and unbleached-off white colour. The fabric has alternate broad stripes of red and black length wise.,each six inches apart. Embroidery is done in a long, continuous length wise bands between these stripes.

The technique used is an intricate form of Needle Weaving using only one stitch that is Darning. Motifs are worked, by counting the threads. So the beauty of the embroidery depends upon the precision with which these ladies count the threads of the fabric and then embroider.

Embroidery is done from the back side of the fabric using a long darning needle, weaving a short distance, turning around the fabric and weaving the thread back. The embroidery is so finely executed that it looks like weaving. Embroidery is reversible and Todas use the rougher under side of the fabric as the right side.

The patterns used are geometric, reflect Macedonian influence and are inspired by the nature; Sun, Moon, stars, flowers, snakes, etc. Buffalo horn is widely used motif. Other motifs used are Izhadvinpuguti, which is a motif named after their priest, mettvi kanpugur is a box. Rabbit ears is always embroidered at the edge of the fabric to avoid it from unraveling itself. These days the embroideries are not just restricted to shawls but also to borders, table mats, bags, pouches and other such articles are made for tourists. But this art is dying and may vanish altogether if not properly safeguarded.

Toda woman wearing the Puthukuli

These are some of the wares on display at a recently held exhibition

See the red and black embroidery and the motifs used

I spoke with the person managing the stall.  He gave the above information.

I just could not resist buying two bags and some borders

These are the bags, I bought from the stall.

Another pattern on the bag below

This is the waist coat with the embroidery

This is a skirt below with the embroidery

These are the borders which I bought. These can be used as attachment to a blouse or a tunic.

Somehow I don't feel like cutting them up and using. I may retain them in my album of textiles and embroideries.

Just look at the beauty of the hand work.

Below the design on the reverse. It looks like its woven.

So how do you like it? let me know please.

Folk embroideries of India

So lets us start with Folk/Tribal embroideries of India.....

Some say folk and tribal embroideries are different. I feel there is a very thin line of division between the two, since India was and still is a country of villages, inspite of flourishing cities /urban areas since ancient times.and most of the arts and crafts came from rural areas. Any way I have grouped them together for convenience.

Folk or tribal embroideries of India are  very beautiful and have been handed over generations since a long time. Its generally the women folk who do this art.Girls take to embroidery at a very young age learning from their mothers, grandmothers, sisters and other ladies of the community. After men leave for their daily work, women gather together in their houses, or under tress and while gossiping, embroider on various articles.

The grand mothers start embroidering and making clothes for the young ones as soon as their daughters or sons are married. So also mothers and grand mothers start making dowry goods for their young girls,and the girls them selves make them. The dowry goods may include wedding dress of the bride, bed spreads and various other such items.

Mind you these embroideries are mostly usable items and not just for decorative purpose. Women's clothing, like saris, skirts, blouses, dupattas (stoles), bags, purses, tray clothes, bed spreads, quilts, torans, men's clothes, children's clothes, handkerchiefs, tents, to decorate cradles, even for decorating the animals like, horses, camels, bulls and cows are also made. The horns of the bulls and cows, their foreheads, drapes on their backs are made. The decorations for horses and camels are also embroidered and the result is so beautiful, colorful and intricately done patterns.

The basic ground fabric used is cotton most of the time and sometimes silks, made from hand spun yarn and hand woven. Yarn used may be cotton, silk or wool. Both the fabric and the yarn were dyed in natural colours. But now  slowly fabrics and threads available in the present markets are being used. Applique, beads, small bells (ghungroos), mirrors (shisha), cowries (sea shells), beads, coins, metallic objects, fringes, tassels, sequin and braids.

Motifs can be geometrical, birds like parrots, peacocks, swans, cranes, animals like lions, tigers, horses, camels, goats, cows, bulls, snakes,  flowers, fruits, trees village scenes, festival scenes, gods, goddesses and many more.

Each region has its own unique and distinct features. That helps in identifying the region, area, group or community to which they belong to.

 

This is an example of Aari work on a silk saree

 

This is shisha and bead work by the Banjaras;  a beautiful bag

From the next post I will be dealing with each style separately....Keep watching my blog