Illustration Series
Celebrating Indian Handloom
Role
This is a passion project
Duration
This is in an ongoing project, I make one as in when time permits!
Team
Solo Project
A-Z of Indian Handloom
India is known for its diversity and being a cultural rich country. I used to visit a cloth market every summer with my mum and this series is an homage to all those visits with my mum during the summer holidays.
Ajrakh
It is a block printed textile made with natural dyes. Primarily blue and red. The process is elaborate and laborious. It requires numerous stages of printing, dyeing and washing.
Ajrakh as a form of textile printing is practiced in regions of Sindh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Some believe this tradition dates back to Harrapan civilisation (almost 4000 years ago
Banarasi.
Banarasi silk is known for gold and silver brocade, fine silk and opulent embroidery. It was originally crafted exclusively for the royalty, each Banarasi saree was created from real gold and silver thread, taking as much as a year to make.
Banarasi silk originated from the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Banarasi motifs are inspired by Mughal motifs and floral motifs ( a mix of Indian and Persian)
Chikankari.
Chikankari is a delicate and intricate embroidery style from Lucknow that is believed to have been introduced by Nur Jahan, Mughal emperor, Jehangir’s wife.
Originally white on white, however today there are pastel variants as well. One of my favourite handloom from India.
Himroo
It is dying art form and is a hand woven fabric that is made locally in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. It was brought to Aurangabad during the reign of Mohammad Tughlaq.
The word himroo originated from a Persian word hum-ruh which means ‘similar’. It was developed as a cheaper alternative to kimkhwab, the more lavish brocade of silk and gold thread weaved for royalty in the 14th century.
