The Kutch Essence
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Embroidery with a wanderers soul travelling to Delhi.
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Along with being popularly known for its food Gujarat is also known for its embroideries which are available in various styles and techniques. Each style is unique in its own right, being a combination of different patterns, colours and stitches. The moment one tends to think of Gujrat the image which pops up in the mind is a plethora of colours, people celebrating and doing garba. The most sparkling image would be all of this against the backdrop of the white desert the Rann of Kutch. It is often said that this beautiful state is an amalgamation of the industrial Gujarat, Kathiawad/Saurashtra Peninsula and Kutch.
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Kutch is said to be populated by the banjaras/nomads and the pastoral communities. The name ‘Kutch’ is derived from the tortoise like form of its seawater surrounded lands. The presence of nomads ensures a mix of influences from all over. According to research there are as many as 16 or more embroideries originating from Gujarat and each belongs to a different community. These art forms are not restricted to one particular object but are used for clothes, wall hangings, bags, decorative items etc. If observed there are so many colours used together that the creators of today, the designers would think twice before using them whereas these people effortlessly pair them in harmony. The end product is so beautiful that none could say that they have ever been apart. Amidst all the art forms one of the most popular ones is Kutch embroidery. Originating from a place with the same name, it traces back its roots to the Mochi, the community of shoemakers. They were commissioned to work upon the royal textiles and decorative objects of the courts of Kutch and Kathiawad. According to old belief this style of embroidery was bought by cattle breeders of Kathi, who were a group of nomads but eventually settled down to produce this art. This style though popular from this region was absorbed and interpreted by communities nearby, thus giving the art from variations and styles. And these renditions have become styles in their own right !
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Having the soul of a wanderer the availability of this art form is not restricted to Gujarat. It is available in all the major cities, infact all over India. Focusing here on Delhi, there is a whole lane which is dedicated to the handicrafts of Gujarat. There are various art forms which are available here but one of the most popular ones is the Kutch embroidery. This lane is located in the Janpath market in Connaught Place and has numerous options to buy from. This market is flocked not only by locals but also by foreigners who eventually learn the art of bargaining while negotiating the price here. The vendors here source all their material from authentic places in Gujarat and keep stocking on new stuff. Right from the start to the very end the whole lane is filled with tiny little shops and each vendor displaying their own stock. This street market though would be hidden between the “proper shops” is a must visit place. The energy and the vibrancy comes in not only through the colours but the enthusiasm each and every one has when stepping in here. Not be satisfied with whatever is on display, on need to go through whatever these vendors have in order to discover hidden gems! These vendors stock everything from clothes, to bags, bed covers, decorative items etc. Not to forget apart from the embroidered stuff they also sell silver jewellery which again is sourced from Gujarat. This market is a sight to behold. As soon as the street market ends/starts (depends on where a person enters from) there are 2 shops which stock the same objects and also when one enters the Janpath clothes lane there is a shop right in the middle of the market selling all of this. No matter what comes by this market will always be the popular and preferred one as they have endless varieties to offer.
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Price: - Starts from Rs 400/500
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Where to buy: - Gujarati Market
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Located: - Janpath Market, Connaught Place
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Nearest Metro Station: - Rajiv Chowk/Janpath
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Contributed by: - Aditi Arora
