Kasuti
Two-Tone Kasuti Ilkal Sari
“A classic crème and green handwoven silk sari embellished with the traditional kasuti embroidery of Karnataka.”
The body of the sari features woven butis arranged in vertical lines, alternating in colour, creating a harmonious pattern. The same butis, meticulously placed in rows of alternating colours, densely decorate the contrasting pallu. The sari boasts a woven thread border lengthwise, showcasing a wave pattern flanked by the gomi border (arrowhead motifs) on both sides.
The temple border adds charm, giving the sari a very traditional look. The distinguishing feature of this sari is the intricate kasuti embroidery, primarily executed using the gavanthi (double running stitch used for marking vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines), menthi (cross stitch resembling fenugreek seeds), and murgai (zig-zag stitch). The designs include elephants with howdahs, temple gopuras, and exquisitely embroidered flowers near the pallu.
Floral patterns finish the widthwise edge of the pallu. The motifs appear symmetrical on both sides of the sari, as they are stitched without using knots.
Royal grace; sovereignty; the monsoon's herald. Identified across the body and pallu of this object.
Open motif entryCosmic order; mathematical harmony in weave. Identified across the woven ground of this object.
Open motif entryEmbroidery in India is regionally codified to an extraordinary degree: each tradition has its own stitches, its own colour palette, its own placement on the garment, and often its own historical practitioner community. The Krishna Lal Collection holds eight major embroidery traditions — from the running-stitch lyricism of Bengali kantha to the floral darning of Punjabi phulkari and the white-on-white delicacy of Lucknowi chikankari.