1. Indian Embroidery is as old as gold. There are some great
examples of embroideries found in the remnants of Indus Valley
Civilization.
2. Floral motifs in the embroidery were introduced by Mugals and
persians. Brefore that thre were geometrical designs. There is a marked
similarity in the embroidery found in the embrodiery depicted on frescos of
Ajanta and Phulkari.
3. Phulkari can be classified basis regions. Some examples are
embroideries from Kashmir and Chamba Rumal of Himachal Pradesh from the
Northern regions. From Eastern region, Kantha and Satgaon quilts from Bengal
and applique work from Orissa are notable examples. From Western region, Kutch
produces exquisite embroideries, Punjab Phulkaries and Rajasthan produces gota
and applique work. From Ganges Valley, Bihar produces Kashida and Katwa work as
well as Rumals depicting Mithila. Uttar Pradesh produces Zardozi, Phulpatti and
Chikankari. From South India, Karnataka produces Kasuti and Andhra produces
Banjara embroidery.
4. Indian embroidery can be broadly classified as court
embroidery- patronized by the royal court, Trade embroidery, Temple embroidery
and Folk embroidery. Zardosi, chikankari are some of the examples of it.
Examples of trade embroidery are mochi bharat, kashmir embroidery. chikankari,
Satgaon quilts, chinai work. Examples of folk embroidery include that from
Mithila, Kutch. Temple embroideries involve that done on Pichhwai, chamba
rumals and Orissa.
5. Broadly Indian embroidery can be divided into silk embroidery,
quilting, counted thread work, white work-phulpatti and chikankari, mirror
work, gold and silver embroidery, applique and patch work and gold and silver
ribbon work ( Badla).
