Admiring Winter Crafts
As the winter breathes its last across the North, the days start to stretch out longer, the chilly breeze slowly makes way for the ‘loo’ wind, suitcases full of summer clothes begin coming out, and the whirring of fans starts back up. Actually, it’s also the perfect time to fill up on the last of the wintry weaves, or even to admire the artistry behind the shawls, stoles, and quilts of India! Some of the wonderful art that we have a chance to curate includes:
Dorukha shawls: A dorukha shawl is seamless in its artistry, a two—sided marvel that has been a part of Kashmiri craftsmanship since the 1860s. This work of art is entirely reversible, with different colours and motifs often embroidered on either side. The Aksi Dorukha in particular is adorned with a design on one side, the other often left plain or even embroidered in different colored threads. While rarer, jamavar and kanni weaves can also be made in the dorukha style, with dexterous weaving creating a canvas of beauty!
Kutch weaves: Craft has been inextricable from Kutch’s communities for the past 500 years, with brightly coloured textiles and weaves that mesmerise at every turn. Traditionally, weavers use handspun yarn from other local communities bringing together a cornucopia of colours and motifs on shawls, dhablas, and local dresses. Not only are motifs carried down across generations, but there is a unique melding together of pastoral communities and artisans.
Kinnauri Shawls: Named for a stunning district in Himachal Pradesh, Kinnauri shawls have echoes of a Central Asian influence. The colours used for ground or the base are white, black, natural grey and brown. The motif colours of the shawls are distinctly reflective of the five elements, but unusual given their respective connections. These are yellow for earth, white for water, red for fire, green air, and blue for ether. Twill is used extensively for the weaves, and these shawls are so fine that they can take up to six months for artisans to create.
Jaipuria razais: Made in cotton voile, with Handblock printing that is the pride of Rajasthan, these lovelies are perfect not only for a winter of hibernation, but also for AC-cooled summer nights. This is because they are both light and fluffy at the same time. The creation of these razais involve three main steps after the motifs are transferred to the fabric — carding, cotton voile layering, and quilting.
