Lucknow is famous for chikan embroidery. The word chikan just means embroidery. The Chikan embroidery was done on a locally woven muslin called tanzeb, the pattern being stamped with small wooden blocks using red earth colour which washed out after the embroidery was completed. The kurtas … [Read more...]
Kasuti Embroidery of Karnataka
In Kannada the word for embroidery is Kasuti. As with the chikan of Lucknow so with the Kasuti of Karnataka the word has become identified with the particular type of embroidery produced in that area. The best work is produced in the areas once ruled by the great Chalukya and Vijayanagar empires … [Read more...]
Kantha Embroidery of Bengal
Bengal has an old tradition of Kantha embroidery. Kantha Embroidery of Bengal has enjoyed international repute for the fineness of the muslins woven in Dacca. With exquisite names like Running Water these were woven plain or patterned with thicker threads of white cotton providing opaque patterns on … [Read more...]
Bihar Handicrafts | Embroidery of Bihar
Bihar has one of the longest art traditions in the country. The University of Nalanda was renowned not only for its disciplines of Humanities and the Sciences but also for its artistic tradition. The sculptures of that period are noted for their serenity, grace and flowing lines. The city of … [Read more...]
Chamba Rumal - Embroidery of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is famous for Chamba Rumal embroidery. The Chamba Rumals are made of fine cotton or muslin and are embroidered with silk and sometimes with silver and silver gilt wire. It is presumed that the subjects were drawn in outline by the women themselves. However, certain … [Read more...]
Phulkari Embroidery of Punjab
Embroidery has for centuries been part of the education of every well brought up Punjabi girl. The Granth Sahib, the religious book of the Sikhs, says "Kadh Kasida pehreh choli, Ta Tum Janoh Nari" (Only when you have yourself embroidered your choli will you be considered an accomplished … [Read more...]
Kashmiri Hand Embroidery
The Kashmiri embroidery is known as Kashida, a Persian word which, among others, means embroidery as well as drawing. The Kashmiri hand embroidery work uses simple stitches such as the satin, stem, chain and long and short stitches and makes occasional use of the herringbone, button hole and … [Read more...]
Article on Kathiawar Emboridery
Kathiawar, which took its name from the Kathis, shows a strongly folk element in its embroidery. Kathiawar is very rich in embroidered goods since the art is used for decorating even the humblest home. The toran, or valance, that graces the doorway and offers a welcome to the visitor, is only a … [Read more...]
Sindhi Hand Embroidery
The Sindhi hand embroidery work shows a delicacy and refinement that can only be the result of court patronage. Even though Sind is no longer a part of India, no work on Indian embroidery can be complete without mention of the hand works done in Sind. Sindhhas absorbed many influences which are … [Read more...]
Brief note on Kutch Hand Embroidery
The folk hand embroidery of Kutch is done in cotton thread on cotton cloth. Yellow, saffron, white, purple and green are favourite colors. The work is done with darning and herringbone stitches and the motifs include those named above along with the sunflower, mango shoots and creepers. Glitter is … [Read more...]