In the north of India, there is a state known by the name "Himachal Pradesh". The town of Chamba is a part of this state. Himachal pradesh is a "Pahari" region - which means mountainous - because of its proximity to The Himalayas. Like every other region of India, this region too has its unique arts and crafts. One among them is the embroidered Chamba rumal - the most important claim to fame for the town of Chamba.
Rumal means handkerchief . It also means a square cloth. In the case of Chamba rumals, the second interpretation is more apt. These pieces cloth were embroidered and used as covers of gifts to royalty by royalty , to deities, to groom's family by the bride's family and so on.
Now, what's so special about these rumals?
The embroidery in Chamba rumals are double sided. You cannot distinguish between the front and the back. So the style of embroidery is called "Do-rukha" which means two sided. Moreover, no embroidery frame is used through out. Earlier, untwisted silk threads were used to embroider on unbleached muslin cloth.
You can see plenty of pictures and description here and here
Several months back, I received a mail from one of the readers asking about Chamba rumals and the stitch associated with it. I had studied the stitch some time back, but never executed it.Here's a video showing the embroidery up and close.
Most of the sources state that the stitch is double sided satin stitch with no knots. What do you think?
Have a look at the video and let me know your thoughts. In the next post, I'll show you my trials with this style of embroidery. It'll not take very long - may be tomorrow.. :)
The first week of May is already about to end and Sonny boy is playing games with us. He refuses to shine for more than a day in a week. Hopefully next week he'll be back in form.
To brighten your day, here are a few pics from the Tulip Garden in Amsterdam taken during our trip there.
The picture below is the actual Tulip fields.Not many colors though and they do not let public in there.
Have a great friday!!
Love,luck and sunshine,
Deepa
Rumal means handkerchief . It also means a square cloth. In the case of Chamba rumals, the second interpretation is more apt. These pieces cloth were embroidered and used as covers of gifts to royalty by royalty , to deities, to groom's family by the bride's family and so on.
Now, what's so special about these rumals?
The embroidery in Chamba rumals are double sided. You cannot distinguish between the front and the back. So the style of embroidery is called "Do-rukha" which means two sided. Moreover, no embroidery frame is used through out. Earlier, untwisted silk threads were used to embroider on unbleached muslin cloth.
The front and back of Chamba rumal. Source niftcd.wordpress.com
You can see plenty of pictures and description here and here
Several months back, I received a mail from one of the readers asking about Chamba rumals and the stitch associated with it. I had studied the stitch some time back, but never executed it.Here's a video showing the embroidery up and close.
Most of the sources state that the stitch is double sided satin stitch with no knots. What do you think?
Have a look at the video and let me know your thoughts. In the next post, I'll show you my trials with this style of embroidery. It'll not take very long - may be tomorrow.. :)
The first week of May is already about to end and Sonny boy is playing games with us. He refuses to shine for more than a day in a week. Hopefully next week he'll be back in form.
To brighten your day, here are a few pics from the Tulip Garden in Amsterdam taken during our trip there.
The picture below is the actual Tulip fields.Not many colors though and they do not let public in there.
Have a great friday!!
Love,luck and sunshine,
Deepa
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