13.03.2024

Appliqué exists among most communities and parts of India. Barmer applique from Rajasthan is one of them and is known for its vibrant and unique aesthetic. The efforts of several generations led to the gradual emergence of the Barmer traditional handicraft-making technique, which has managed to preserve its religious and cultural values while also exhibiting […]

13.03.2024

Soof (also known as kachho, meaning raw or weak) embroidery is also known as Sodha barat, which means Sindhi embroidery. This embroidery was introduced by Hindu Sodha Rajput from Tharparkar in Sindh, Pakistan, who sought refuge in the district after the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and first settled around Jhura village in refugee camps.   The […]

13.03.2024

Kutch is a region that has celebrated needlework for generations. It not only gives identity to the communities but also reveals their cultural legacies. The intricacy and vividness of various types of embroidery styles in Kutch demonstrate a clear convergence of Gujrat, Rajasthan, and the Sindh region of Pakistan.  One such embroidery is Jut-Garasiya embroidery […]

21.03.2022

The Indian state of Gujrat has long been the entry point to the Indian sub-continent and a major trade and learning centre between the rest of the world and the country.  Kutchi extra weft – Bhujodi is one of the crafts that have endured the test of time. Originally called Bhujodi after the town where […]

16.03.2022

Madras Plaid is strongly associated with summertime and bright colours. With its breathable, lightweight characteristics and bright colours, it is considered to be the plaid of summer. India’s peasant class wore Madras Checks in the 12th century in the village of Madraspatnam (Madras now known as Chennai). The plaid lungi was originally worn as bottom […]

14.05.2020

Having its origin in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jamdani, which is more popularly called Dhakai Jamdani has always been seen as an enchanting textile. Some referred to it as ‘woven air’ while others called it the ‘flowered and figured’ muslin owing to the name ‘jamdani’ which is derived from ‘jama’ meaning flower and ‘dani’ meaning vase. Jamdani […]

01.05.2020

Also known as Bandhej, it is a resist dyeing process of creating dotted patterns. Bandhani derives its name from Sanskrit word Bandh, meaning to tie. This is a very simple technique of tie-dye which ensures that the dye is prevented from reaching a certain portion of the fabric that is painstakingly tied in small dots […]

23.04.2019

When one walks through the narrow streets of Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh in central India, one would notice the strong Mughal influence evident in the architecture all around the city. The intricate jaals or mesh-like structures, paisleys, floral creepers, and elaborate archways draws one’s attention. The city is known for […]