Kachchhi WorkKachchhi Work

UID Project

IntroductionA handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressedas artisanal handicraft is any of a wide variety of types ofas artisanal handicraft, is any of a wide variety of types ofwork where useful and decorative objects are madecompletely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is atraditional main sector of craft, and applies to a widerange of creative and design activities that are related tomaking things with one's handsand skill, including work with textiles, moldable and rigidmaterials, paper, plant fibers, etc. Usually the term isApplied to traditional techniques of creating items thatare both practical and aestheticare both practical and aesthetic.Collective terms for handicraftsinclude artisanry, handicrafting, crafting,and handicraftsmanship. Handicrafting hasits roots in the rural crafts—the material-goodsgnecessities—of ancient civilizations, and many specificcrafts have been practiced for centuries, while others aremodern inventions, or popularizations of crafts whichwere originally practiced in a limited geographic area.

Introduction

Many handicrafters use natural even entirely indigenous materials while others may prefer modern non traditionalMany handicrafters use natural, even entirely indigenous, materials while others may prefer modern, non-traditionalmaterials, and even upcycle industrial materials. The individual artisanship of a handicrafted item is the paramountcriterion; those made by mass production or machines are not handicraft goods.Seen as developing the skills and creative interests of students, generally and sometimes towards a particular craft ortrade, handicrafts are often integrated into educational systems, both informally and formally. Most crafts require thedevelopment of skill and the application of patience, but can be learned by virtually anyone.Like folk art, handicraft output often has cultural and/or religious significance, and increasingly may have a politicalmessage as well, as in craftivism. Many crafts become very popular for brief periods of time, spreading rapidly amongthe crafting population as everyone emulates the first examples, then their popularitywanes until a later resurgencewanes until a later resurgence.

Kutch DistrictKutch district (also spelled as Kachchh)is a district of Gujarat state in western India Covering an areais a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an areaof 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India.Kutch literally means something which intermittentlybecomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is knownas Rann of Kutch which is shallow wetland which submergesin water during the rainy season and becomes dry duringin water during the rainy season and becomes dry duringother seasons. The same word is also used in the languagesof Sanskrit origin for a tortoise. The Rann is famous for itsmarshy salt flats which become snow white after the shallowwater dries up each season before the monsoon rains.Th di t i t i l f f l i ll i t t B iThe district is also famous for ecologically important Bannigrasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands which formthe outer belt of the Rann of Kutch.Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch andthe Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern

d d b h d l lparts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann (seasonalwetlands) of Kutch. When there were not many dams built onits rivers, the Rann of Kutch remained wetlands for a largepart of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for asignificant part of year. The district had a population of1,583,500 of which 30% were urban as of 2001.

Kutch DistrictThe language spoken predominantly in Kutch is Kutchi language, a slightly varied dialect of standard Sindhi, to a language, a slightly varied dialect of standard Sindhi, to a lesser extent Gujarati, and Hindi. The script of the Kutchi language has become extinct. It is now mainly written in the Gujarati script. Samples of Kutch script are available in the Kutch Museum. The increased use of Gujarati language is mainly because of its being a medium of instruction in schools. Often, the Kutch language is mistaken as a dialect of Gujarati, however, this is not true. The Kutch language bears more grammatical similarity with Sindhi and lexical similarity with Gujarati.

h i f h lifi i i di i h Kutch is one of the most prolific regions in India in the area of textile art. Kutch embroidery is dense with motifs and is one of the most beautiful forms of textile art. A

variation with mirrors sewn into the embroidery is one of the signature arts of this region.An example of Kutch Embroidery - Antique Dowry BagWithin the category of Kutch embroidery there are several sub-categories as each tribe and sub-tribe produces a uniquesignature form of art.

Kachchhi WorkKutch work embroidery (also known as Kachchhi embroidery) is one of the most easily identifiable styles ofembroidery) is one of the most easily identifiable styles ofembroidery from Gujarat and a well patronised handicrafttextile in India. Deriving its name from its places of origin,the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat, Kutchembroidery is characterised by the use of vibrant colors,mirrors and beads and intricate and extensive needlework that embellishes the entire fabric on which it is based.Usually done on cotton or silk fabric, Kutch workembroidery involves the use of silk or woollen thread in finestitches to create elaborate patterns and draws itsstitches to create elaborate patterns, and draws itsinspiration from romantic, architectural and human motifs,as well as Persian and Mughal arts. The colors used aremainly green, indigo, deep red, black, yellow and ivory. The embroidery is also distinctive in its use of mirrors and beads,placed strategically in between patterns. A popular and recognised example of Kutch embroidery is the ghagra choli (ap g y p p p g p y g gtraditional skirt and blouse ensemble) of Gujarat, especially worn during the Navaratri season.History traces the origin of Kutch work embroidery back to mochis, the community of shoemakers, who used to work on royaltextiles and decorative objects. It is also believed that this unique style of embroidery was brought about byKathi cattle breeders, a group of wanderers associated with Karnaof the Mahabharat, who eventually settled down to produceth h t i ti fi dl k di l i l th f tt d d ththe characteristic fine needlework displaying a plethora of patterns, moods and themes.

Gagra choliCourtesy : Sayali

Chappals

Rabari WorkRabari basically means a clan or a community, they are known for theirvery rich and vast culture highlighted for their food habits and theirvery rich and vast culture highlighted for their food habits and theirembroidery. Rabari work also known as Rabari Bharat is anembroidery known for its its bold shapes and mythological designstaken from their desert surroundings.The Nagali earrings of the kutch rabari identifies their culture, it iscalled Nagali as its form closely resembles a snake.Rabari embroidery is unique to the nomadic Rabaris. Essential toRabari embroidery is the use of mirrors in a variety of shapes. Rabarisoutline patterns in chain stitch, then decorate them with a regularsequence of mirrors and accent stitches in a regular sequence of colorssequence of mirrors and accent stitches, in a regular sequence of colors.Rabaris also use decorative back stitching, called bakhiya, to decoratethe seams of women's blouses and men's kediya/ jackets. The style, likeRabaris, is ever evolving, and in abstract motifs Rabari women depicttheir changing world. Contemporary bold mirrored stitching nearlyg g p y g yreplaced a repertoire of delicate stitches --which Kala Raksha revived.

Rabari work

Rabari work

PatchworkPatchwork work in Kutch was developed out of piecing cloth together as coverlets or working out patterns by applyingpieces of clothes of different colours and textures The women of different communities have their separate styles thepieces of clothes of different colours and textures. The women of different communities have their separate styles, themost individual being that of the Rabari and Harijan communities of Kutch. The finest work is seen on the decorativehanging which covers the quilted materials. Every bride had to have at least some pieces for her collection of clothes.Articles for daily use which were in constant use were strengthened by the decorative patch work. The colours areprincipally brown or black with slight use of pieces of Mashru, tie and dye and single colours of bright green, yellow,orange, red and white.

The finest and slightest work known as patch work is done by the Danetah Jats of the village Thal, who makes stripes of changeable colours and designs to decorate stretched out pillows. The stripes are unbelievably tiny and pointed pieces rather than triangular and embroidered with buttonhole stitches and colourful criss-cross edgings. Wall hangings and a variety of other objects for daily use find a steady market.

Artisan Doing Patchwork

Patchwork

Patchwork

Patchwork

About the artisan

Punjanatha is an able artisan from Khavda, Kutch and has 15 years of experience under his belt, his family has beenpracticing these traditional crafts since decade and he specializes in purse, chappals , blankets , cushion covers , bedsheets , bag and patchwork shawls

Bibliographyg p y

Garvi Gujarat National d U it d ld I tit t f Fair and Summit 2014 Unitedworld Institute of

Design