Creativity knows no boundaries. It is especially true in the fashion world. Where experiments with the traditional patterns is creating impulsion these days. The Kurtis meteoric rise to the top of the fashion world is indeed beguiling. Their exceptional designs and aesthetic grace make them ongoing on and off the catwalks.
Available in different range and styles they can entice you to push the limits. They have originated on the lines of its first cousin Kurta. They are actually the shorter version of Kurtas. Kurtis are also termed as woman's tunic. Combining the fine culture, and the synthesis of tradition these Kurtis are the signature of nomadic royalty. They are the interpretation of the India's royal heritage that reflects the quirky nature of the contemporary fashion. They mark the fashion statement for the for the top notch business women to the typical middle class girl.
Today Kurtis have made a way into the heart of the uber chic designers and and has spread infectiously into the people's wardrobe. From the bylanes of Rishikesh, it has reached to the boutiques of world's most renowned designers. From the spangly mirror work, stylish leopard print, to the block printed handloom variety, Kurtis have been embroidered with every possible print. And have been sported by celebrities like Zeenat Aman, Preety Zinta and Poonam Dhilon.
They are trendy are are available in all sort of sizes and range. They are worn by people irrespective of age. Kurtis goes well with the salwar, trousers, jeans or churidars. They are made fabrics ranging from viscose georgette, polyester, georgette, pure crepe silk, crepe blends, silk, satin, and cotton etc. And now this great elan of Kurtis is ready to capture the hearts of the western world with elegant Indian Designs. It is creating waves and is in haute couture since last three years. It enhances the dignity of the elderly women, the middle aged girls wears it with self assurance and poise and of course the youngsters for that very own style statement that carry an air of beauty self personified.
The tribal groups in India has its own share of embroideries influenced by many cultures depicting the various themes. The Banjara embroidery is one of the most colorful and engaging craft work. The tribal women are working very hard to keep the legend of the Banjara embroidery alive by forwarding it to the coming generations.
The Banjara embroidery is the class by itself with the wide range and varied style and composition. Banjara embroidery mainly features vibrant colors. The motifs on their clothes are often embellished by the laces, beads, colorful threads and intricate mirror work. Their designs are free of complexity of thoughts and are need not to be necessary symmetrical. They are also known for the soft lace work that is taken up mainly by the women trained at home.
The patterns of the Banjara embroidery is oftenly represented by the square or rectangle form. Floral designs, animals or human figures are rarely created by them. Numerous embroidery techniques can be observed in Banjara embroideries such as the cross stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, couching, appliqué, mirrors, kashida and quit stitch. They often decorate their fabrics with the buttons, leads, glass beads, coins, woolen tassels, cowry shells and threads.
Apart from the traditional skirts, blouses and men jacket the other products made by the Banjara embroidery includes purse, bags, cushion, pillow covers, quilts and wall hangings. Although with the invasion of the machines and technologies, the artwork is modified and the artisans are losing their age old vocation.
Rabri embroidery is the most colorful and most beautiful embroidery in the whole subcontinent. Rabri is the traditional art preciously saved by the tribal groups in Gujarat and Rajasthan, who brought this art from Sindh, Baluchistan and Far East when they came to settled here.
The Rabri embroidery is very famous for the eye catching motifs and beautiful use of the large pieces of mirrors. Originally, the pieces of mica were used instead of mirrors. They use the combination of different colors in order to make the embroidery motifs more beautiful. The sparling stitch is used to beautify ghaghro (skirt), kanchali (blouse), ludis (veil), groom's kediyan (skirt), children cradle cloth, auspicious torans as well as dowry bags, supari bags, purses etc.
The motifs that are drawn are mainly are that of the animals, emblems, folklores, flora etc. The stitches are mainly done for the for embellishments rather than full fledged designs with thread. It needs a lot of hand work and the needle work.
There is the irrational belief behind the use of the mirrors in the region, according to them mirrors protect their children from evil spirits inhabiting their world. The name Rabri is synonymous to the mythology, beliefs and cultural life of the people.
Rabri Embroidery with the intricate mirror and thread work is in demand all over the world. From the small rural areas of the Rajasthan it has spread infectiously into people's wardrobe. The tribes who creates the the embroidery tell their story through its multi-hued threads and tiny embroidery mirrors.
Graceful colors, Chinese Red, Golden Yellow, lush green, creamy white – all are the beautiful colors which you will find in Pashmina. Pashmina, the grace of Kashmir is a kind of wool which is very warm and light in nature. Worn with grace in a number of ways, the kashidakari makes it more beautiful. The splendor of Pashmina lies in the way its worn.
Most of the time you heard about Pashmina, it must have been the Pashmina Shawls. Soft, light like a feather and the coming in beautiful colors, Pashmina Shawls are most spoken of and sought after.
Pashmina is a Urdu and Persian word which became famous after its shawls. Originally the shawls were handwoven and embroided in Kashmir.
The small threads of Pashmina is called as pashm or pashmina. The beginning of Pashmina thread making began in 3rd Century BC. However, professionally the fabric came into existence in the 15th Century. It was Zayn- ul-Abidin, the then ruler of Kashmir who introduced weavers from Central Asia, to the production of Pahmina Shawls into marketing.
For the production of Pashmina, the Pahmina Goat (breed of Goat), is reared in flocks. The goats shed its winter coat every spring. Per goat 3 – 8 ounces of fiber is shed, which is then collected and spun into threads. Its then woven into shawls on which then embroidery is done. For the colors, natural colors coming from flowers and trees are used. These are fast colors and last till the life of the Shawl.
Pashmina Shawls usually come in the size 36 * 80. The smaller size ones are called stols which are used to cover head or simply as style icon. The pure Pashmina is quite costly coming in the range of INR 7000 to INR 50,000, depending upon the thread and the embroidery. The thinner the tread and the intricate the embroidery, the costlier the Pashmina Shawl.
Pashmina Shawls also come in mix of Pashmina and Silk thread. Usually the mix is in the ratio 70 : 30. A Pashmina Shawl can cost as low as $50. But beware of the artificial ones which have popped up in the market. These are usually the viscose ones which come as low as INR 1000. Do not buy these as Pahmina is costly can cannot be sold at such low prices. So next time you go to buy Pashmina, make sure you are buying the real one and not the artificial ones ! Happy Shopping !
