Indian embroidery

HISTORY OF INDIAN EMBROIDERY Indian Embroidery takes its inspiration from nature and religion. Embroidery is an art rightly described as "painting by needle". Embroidery adds grace and elegance, life and style even into articles of everyday use. Embroidery on Leather, velvet, net, cotton, and silk is done all over the country.

The patterns used in embroidery have always been related to floral, animals, geometric and religious.

It is not just an expression, it is the means and art of decoration; decoration of clothes, bed covers, furnishings, almost anything that one can think of in fabric.

TYPES OF INDIAN EMBROIDERIESKasuti Of Karnata Appliqu Craft Of Orissa Kantha Of Bengal

Embroidery Of Rajasthan

Metal Embroidery

KANTHA OF BENGAL INTRODUCTION : Kantha is still the most popular form of embroidery practiced by rural women. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done with soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch along the edges. Kantha can also be used to describe a style of necklace that lies close to the throat and is open at the back.

STITCHES USED : Running Stitch, Stem Stitch, Herringbone Stitch, Satin Stitch & SplitStitches .

COLOURS USED : The colors commonly used are Black, Deep Blue and Red symbolizing the three basic aspects of nature namely the earth, sky and space.

TYPES : Archilata Kantha Baiton Kantha Durjani / Thalia Kantha Lep Kantha Oaar Kantha Sujani Kantha Rumal Kantha

KASUTI EMBROIDERY OF KARNATAKA INTRODUCTION: Kasuti is a traditional form of embroidery practiced in the state of Karnataka, India. The history of Kasuti dates back to the Chalukya Period. The name Kasuti is derived from the words KAI (meaning hand) and SUTI (meaning cotton).

It is said that the LAMBANI CLAN left their traditional home of Rajasthan and settled down in Karnataka and brought the Kasuti Craft along with them. Kasuti is traditionally made on dress wear like iikat and kanchivaram sarees. The KHDC holds a Geographical Indication protection for Kasuti Embroidery which provides Intellectual Property rights on Kasuti to KHDC.

STITCHES USED : Gavanti ( line or double running stitch ) and Murgi ( zigzag lines done with a darning stitch ), Negi Stitch and Menthi Stitch.

COLOURS USED : The colors traditionally used in Kasuti are brighter shades of Red, Orange, Yellow and Purple.

RAJASTHANS EMBROIDERY INTRODUCTION : The embroidery work of Rajasthan are part of its tradition. The women of Rajasthan are expert in this field and can make very attractive embroidery works on various clothes like in quilts, skirts, shawls, bed covers and in many more others.

It is also used to beautify the household items like bedspreads, wall hangings and animal trappings. Rajasthani men, traditionally, were involved in embroideries like Zardozi and Danka. Jaiselmer is the trade centre for embroidery and mirror work items. But, now it is mainly used as an occupation. These beautiful work need to be encouraged as it is highly praised by the tourists all over the world.

APPLIQUE CRAFT OF ORISSA INTRODUCTION : Appliqu work in Orissa also originated as a temple art. Fine example of the craft is the enormous Appliqu Canopies.

This art is the process of cutting colored cloth into shapes of animals, birds, flowers, leaves & other decorative motifs & stitching them on a piece of cloth that can be used as a lamp shade, a hand bag or even a garden umbrella. The village of PIPLI in Orissa is the site of beautiful Appliqu work created by artists. A few of them, won National Awards for their crafts. Small mirrors & bright metal pieces are used in this work.

STITCHES USED :-

Bakhia, Guntha, Turpa, Chikan, Buttonhole etc.

COLOURS USED :-

Four basic traditional colors Red, Yellow, White & Black are used, while Green has been added in comparatively recent times.

METAL EMBROIDERY INTRODUCTION : Gold work was originally developed in ASIA. Gold work is an art of embroidery using Metal Threads. The term Gold Work is used even when the threads are imitation Gold, Silver or Copper.

The Metal wires used to make the threads have never been entirely gold ; they have always been Gold coated |& it often contains a very low % of real Gold. Metal Threads are also available in Colors.

COLOURS USED : Colors commonly used in this embroidery are Gold, Silver & Copper.

TYPES OF METAL THREADS : Passing Thread, Japan Thread, Buillion or Purl, Jaceron or Pearl purl, Lizerine, Freize or Check purl, Faconnee or Crimped purl, Rococco, Crincle Cordonnet, Milliary wire, Plate, Flat worm or Oval Thread, Twists or Torsade, Paillettes or Spangles.

CONCLUSION Embroidery as an art form has enhanced our civilization, making it more aware of the beauty that can be created with a needle and a thread. Intricate designs and brilliantly colored patterns have infused a beauty of their own onto fabrics, adding to their value and worth.