Phulkari Dupatta
The origin of the Phulkari is pretty old as there are references to it in ancient literature of the Vedas, the Mahabharat, the Guru Granth Sahib as well as in the folk songs of Punjab. Whether it comes from the East or West it does not very much matter but it is a very plain fact that on arriving in the land of five rivers, the Phulkari underwent a complete change and emerged as a gay and a pretty garment with an individuality all its own.
Phulkari literally means
flower craft. It is also called "Bagh" which means a garden. The
motifs and designs on the Phulkari are the veritable garden of floral patterns and
are so colorful they seem to have earned the name of Bagh.
The origin of the Phulkari is not quite fully known. Some say that the art was brought to India by the Muslim Persians who settled in Kashmir. It was known are "Gulkari" in Persia (Gul-flower and Kari-Craft or work and phul-flower and Kari Craft or work.)
It is an acknowledged fact that both Persians and the Central Asian nomads were excellent carpet and textile weavers who were experts in producing vivid designs and colors in producing.
Phulkari is a traditional form of embroidery which has great significance and sentimental value in the area. It had lost its popularity with the coming of the market economy and thus couldn’t compete with the cheaper and varied machine-made garments. The phulkari self-help group organizes women artisans as a substantive unit. The women are imparted with niche skills in embroidery and design making them the finest phulkari artisans in the country. The group produces one of the finest qualities of phulkari which has helped them retain their exclusive appeal. Phulkari thus has found a new meaning and varied modern interpretations.
The origin of the Phulkari is not quite fully known. Some say that the art was brought to India by the Muslim Persians who settled in Kashmir. It was known are "Gulkari" in Persia (Gul-flower and Kari-Craft or work and phul-flower and Kari Craft or work.)
It is an acknowledged fact that both Persians and the Central Asian nomads were excellent carpet and textile weavers who were experts in producing vivid designs and colors in producing.
Phulkari is a traditional form of embroidery which has great significance and sentimental value in the area. It had lost its popularity with the coming of the market economy and thus couldn’t compete with the cheaper and varied machine-made garments. The phulkari self-help group organizes women artisans as a substantive unit. The women are imparted with niche skills in embroidery and design making them the finest phulkari artisans in the country. The group produces one of the finest qualities of phulkari which has helped them retain their exclusive appeal. Phulkari thus has found a new meaning and varied modern interpretations.
The origin of the Phulkari is pretty old as there are references to it in ancient literature of the Vedas, the Mahabharat, the Guru Granth Sahib as well as in the folk songs of Punjab. Whether it comes from the East or West it does not very much matter but it is a very plain fact that on arriving in the land of five rivers, the Phulkari underwent a complete change and emerged as a gay and a pretty garment with an individuality all its own.
