Stunning embroidery from Kutch

OVER THE past 30 years `Shrujan' has worked hard with the incredibly talented women embroiderers of Kutch by organising them in groups and giving them regular embroidery work through `piece' rates, by a massive onslaught of the best available design inputs, product development, and training programmes and particularly through marketing strategies such as melas, sales and exhibitions both at home and abroad. Some 18,000 home-based women working with `Shrujan' now have regular employment, self esteem and a new pride in their talent. And `Shrujan's embroidery, has come to embody, quite simply, the very best of Kutch's embroidery skills.

`Shrujan' now comes to Chennai in an exhibition and sale showcasing exquisitely embroidered saris, dupattas and salwar sets, wall hangings, shawls and stoles, bed spreads, cushion covers and hand bags, and elegant, minimally embroidered men's kurtas. The brilliantly worked embroidery is done on silk, crepe, cotton saris, dupattas and salwar sets, ethereal Chanderies, jewel toned Kanchipurams, and Gajji silks. Maheshwaris, Bengal cottons and Mangalgiris have been transformed into works of art by the embroider's skills.

The colours range from soft pastels and earth colours to vibrant oranges, reds, deep blues and parrot greens as well as white and ivory. The superb embroidery is done with an unerring eye to design sophistication and contemporary tastes.

The motifs are traditional and lift every garment and sari to sheer designer elegance.

Soft blue and pink saris picked out with the delicacy of `arhi' embroidery, beautiful crepes with all over floral and vine embroidery, `pako' peacock motifs on in zari bordered gajji silks in rich colours, Kanchipuram silks picked out with soof' motifs - every sari and ensemble dazzles with its charm. Also available are a wealth of cottons embellishbed with brilliant motifs. Soft Chanderies turn magical with a scattering ahir - embroidered motifs and Mangalgiris look dressed up for the most festive occasion with a sprinkling of amris, peacocks, tiny butties and so on.

A special mention must be made of the stunningly designed wall hangings embroidered with such dexterity that they could be woven carpets. `Shrujan's exhibition-cum-sale of embroidered saris and textiles is on at Vimonisha Art Gallery, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, off Nungambakkam High Road. It will conclude on September 15.

PUSHPA CHARI

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