“A handwoven raw silk sari, adorned with phulkari embroidery on the borders and pallu (end-piece).”
This piece is a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional phulkari, which was traditionally done on handwoven and handspun khaddar.
The embroidery is executed using untwisted silk floss, known as pat, in varying hues of light and dark orange that create an interesting interplay of colours.
Staying true to its roots, the embroidery follows the age-old technique of counting threads, preserving the authenticity of the craft while adapting it to a luxurious silk base – highlighting how traditional craftsmanship can evolve, making it not only relevant but also sustainable in today’s fashion world.
Continuity; the rhythm of nature. Identified across the creeping borders 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.