Indian Textile Art & Embroidery for Your Home Decor

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By Arushi Mishra

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India’s textile art tradition is rooted in centuries’ old culture and artistry. Textile art and embroidery has been a significant part of the country’s local tradition and artistic history for centuries, eventually intertwining with the royal traditions. 

There is a broad variety of different styles of versatile textile art and embroideries in India that are worth noting. These are used in pieces of clothing as well as decorative pieces to adorn in your living spaces. They bring their uniqueness with a touch of heritage, culture and tradition into your modern home settings. 

Here is a list of a few traditional textile art and embroidery that you could use to elevate the styling of your homes: 

Mata Ni Pachedi

 

Celestial Fish in Mata Ni Pachedi by Sanjay Chittara

 

A traditional folk art form of Gujarat, Mata Ni Pachedi encapsulates the various styles of depictions of the Mother Goddess. The term ‘Mata Ni Pachedi’ in Gujarati translates to ‘behind the Mother Goddess’. 

This art is historically done by the Vagharis, a nomadic group of Gujarat. In a bid to overcome the discrimination of not being allowed to enter temples, the Vagharis created their own piece of sacred textile, displaying the various forms of the Mother Goddess. These were thus, a piece of portable shrines for the community, however, in the modern times these have come to embrace various other motifs such as the Tree of Life, and other types of flora and fauna. 

Mata Ni Pachedi is also known as the ‘Kalamkari of Gujarat’, as this art too, is a lovely combination of religious devotion and artistic expression. The designs are detailed and intricate, making for a stunning piece of art.

This art is typically done on a textile, usually a cotton cloth with natural dyes. These pieces are sure to add a cultural yet unique touch to your home decor. 

Kalamkari Art

 

The Jungle Life in Kalamkari by Harinath N

 

Kalamkari art is one of the most widely popular traditional art forms of India, that originates from Andhra Pradesh. 

This art is an elegant blend of Hindu religion and artistry. The word ‘kalamkari’ is derived from Sanskrit, meaning craftsmanship through a pen. This pen is traditionally made out of bamboo sticks wrapped with cotton to hold the black ink, which is used to make the bold outlines, which is typical of this art form. 

These paintings are highly detailed with intricate designs. Although traditionally these paintings represent images of Hindu gods and goddesses, there are also other motifs present like the Tree of Life, narratives from folklore, flora, fauna and many more. 

These make brilliant statement pieces for your homes with their intricate and delicate designs. These are perfect statement pieces to adorn the main walls or add a regal touch to the entrances.  

Kutch Embroidery

 

Stitched Fusion: The Artistry of Soni Rakhi Jayeshbhai

 

This is a traditional form of embroidery hailing from the Kutch region of Gujarat. It is a vibrant form of embroidery that has its historical roots from the 16th century. It includes colourful geometric patterns with various motifs such as elephants, flowers, peacocks, and various scenes from mythology. This form of embroidery incorporates various sequins and beads adding to the beauty of this textile art. Mirrors are also used in this type of embroidery, which make the pieces even more alluring. 

Originally used as clothing, today these embroideries are often used as wall hangings, throw settings, and cushion covers at homes and social spaces to add a touch of vibrancy with modernity. 

Lambani Embroidery

Lambani embroidery is also known as ‘Lambada’ or even ‘Banjara’ embroidery. It is traditionally done by the nomadic Lambani tribe that are known to be scattered around the regions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Mumbai. 

This embroidery includes elaborate patterns, colourful designs, as well as impressive mirror work. 

Typical motifs for Lambani embroidery include tribal folklore, elements of nature, and scenes of daily life. There are also many varieties of stitches used in this embroidery that sets this style of embroidery apart from others. 

Patches of Lambani embroidery are used as wall pieces for home decor. These also add a touch of distinct culture into your homes. 

Sujani Embroidery

 

Makar Sankranti In Sujani Embroidery by Sanju Devi

 

A type of embroidery originating from Bihar, Sujani or Sujini embroidery is an intricate form of embroidery, which was historically used to stitch together quilts and other scraps of cloth for newborn babies. This however, has transformed in recent times to being used as pieces of home decor with various folk and nature-related motifs made in this technique on a cloth. Intricate and fine running stitches are used initially which is then progressed by intricate chain stitches. 

A piece of this embroidery poses as an interesting piece to be adorned in your homes, and accentuate its vibrancy. 

Chamba Rumal Embroidery

 

 Godhuli in Chamba Rumal Embroidery by Heena

 

This embroidery is from the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh. They are traditionally done on a square piece of handwoven fine mulmul cloth, and these pieces were historically used to cover food offerings presented to a deity, or the gifts exchanged between families during a wedding. The themes for this embroidery are traditionally centered around Lord Krishna, and sometimes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Various floral motifs, as well as animals, such as, peacocks, snakes, horses, and elephants are also made in this form of embroidery. 

A Chamba piece of embroidery is thus used as small wall pieces enhancing the colourful look of a living space. 

Rogan Art

 

Tree in Rogan art by Rizwan Khatri

 

This textile art hails from the Nirona village of Kutch in Gujarat. It originally came from Persia to Gujarat around 400 years ago. The term ‘Rogan’ is a Persian word meaning ‘oil-based’, thus, oil-based natural paints are used on cloth for this art. 

The designs are made on one half of the cloth and the other half is gently pressed on it to obtain a symmetrical artwork that is vibrant in nature. 

These pieces are generally used as huge wall hangings to add a pop of colour and tradition into one’s modern living spaces. 

Kantha Embroidery

 

 Flowers In Kantha by Ajija Sultana

 

This stunning embroidery is typically done by the rural women of Bengal and Odisha. The stitches are done with colourful threads and a simple running stitch is incorporated. There are no certain rules for this embroidery and the colours, composition as well as techniques are all dependent on every individual craftsman. The word ‘kontha’ in Sanskrit means rags and in the olden times these rags of saris were stitched together to make quilts in the spirit of reusing old rags. With time, this technique became a tradition passed from one generation to another, that is passed from mothers to daughters. 

There is a unique running stitch exclusively named as the ‘kantha’ stitch. Colorful stitches, along with fine designs along with floral and symmetrical designs. 

These pieces of embroidery can be used as big and small wall hangings, in living spaces for decor. 

Zardozi Embroidery

 

 Depiction of flower vase with intricate background: Zari Zardozi Work by Mohd. Bilal

 

One of the oldest embroidery traditions of India, Zardozi is widely known for its shine and shimmery quality. The word ‘Zardozi’ is a Persian word where ‘Zar’ means gold and ‘dozi’ means embroidery. Originating from Central Asia in the 12th century, it flourished during the Mughal rule in India. 

This embroidery is generally done with metallic threads on heavy textiles such as velvet, silk and satin. Embellishments are also done with beads and sometimes even precious stones. 

This embroidery makes for beautiful and opulent pieces of decor, adding a touch of regality in the decor of spaces. 

Phulkari Embroidery

 

Colorful birds In Phulkari by Harjeet kaur

 

Phulkari embroidery is a regional style of embroidery from the rural regions of Punjab. The term ‘phulkari’ is a Punjabi word that translates to ‘flower work’. Although many other geometrical patterns and other motifs are also included in this style of embroidery. 

This embroidery is done with a thick cotton thread on a cotton or a khadi cloth. These make for vibrant designs with beautiful pops of colour. Originally used as part of the traditional dress of the region, today they can be used to adorn any modern living space to accentuate its beauty, creating a touch of modernity while maintaining its traditional charm. 

Note: There are many more embroideries and textile art traditions across the country. Get in touch with our Art Planners to discuss more options to accentuate your space. You can contact us via email at wecare@memeraki.com or WhatsApp at +91 99715 93574. 

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