EMBROIDERIES OF INDIA / KUTCH WORK / INTRODUCTION

The embroidery of the Kutch region of Gujarat is world-renowned for its microscopic nature in the most attractive colours. Termed as ‘Kutchi Bharat’ or Kutchi embroidery, it has eight different types of embroidery styles.

From where it started

- Traditionally a cattle breeding tribe, whenever the men would set out for cattle grazing, the women and small children would sit with needle and thread to do embroidery work, the little ones being as young as eight years old.

- This, over time gave them extraordinary skills to do extremely fine and minute embroidery on their clothes.

- Today articles for embroidery include festival blouses called ‘Kanchali’, the wedding trousseau of the bride to be, the groom’s wedding wear, curtains and other household items and of course an entire range of fashionable, stylish and very trendy fabrics with designer inputs.

The essence of Kutch embroidery

- It is rightly said that Gujarat has given India the greatest heritage in embroidery work and craft through its famous and versatile Kutch embroidery.

- The hub of the Kutch embroidery work is basically located in the regions of Kutch and Saurashtra wherein the local artisans churn out the most creative and exquisite designs.

- The tribal people, peasants and the womenfolk of that region have maintained their tradition, rich heritage and vibrant culture through their distinctive embroidery styles.

- The Kutch tradition of embroidery basically started off as a hobby amongst the women who would embroider an entire outfit for their daughter after the harvest season and thus gather enough garments for her marriage trousseau.

- From mirror and bead work to Abhala embroidery along with the usage of silk threads of bright colours, the Kutch embroidery basically ornates the entire fabric and embellishes it completely.