Phulkari - Captivating Artwork of Punjab

Phulkari is a prominent artwork of the state of Punjab that adds to the popularity of the most happening place in India. The term Phulkari means flowering or floral work that is clearly visible in the final artwork. The craft basically involves embroidery of floral designs and patterns on various garments like shawls, scarf, handkerchief, sarees, and dupattas.

Evolution of this captivating craft dates back to the sixteenth century when women of the state started involving themselves in this activity during their free time. The craft started as an unprofessional disposition but over a period of time, its charm, beauty, and elegance was widespread. With this increasing worth, Phulkari turned out to be a professional artwork in the nineteenth century.

This beautiful craft is done by making small darn stitches over the cloth in an artistic manner. The stitches are done in various intricate designs using a silk yarn that is available in a spectrum of colors and shades. The base cloth is hand woven and adding immensely beautiful designs on that adds more charm and beauty to the cloth. Some of the most common designs and patterns embroidered are figures of vegetables, fruits, animals, birds, leaves, rivers, sun, buildings, and moon. Furthermore, sun-shade pattern, coriander design, jasmine picture, and rainbow pattern are most popular patterns of Phulkari. A wide range of color combinations are used to make these figures and artistic designs. Some prominent colors used are yellow, crimson, golden, green, pink, and blue. Apart from these there are abundant of color options and shades that add vibrancy and life to the Phulkari garment or textile.

The traditional craft also reflects the rich heritage of the state and is considered to be a symbol of love. Some of the Phulakri clothes are believed to showcase various scenes from real life that narrate the essence of cultural activities. With various designs and patterns, the Phulkari craft expresses every emotion of love, care, concern, and humanity.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5680783

Phulkari -A Punjabi Folk Art

Phulkari, an embroidery technique from the Punjab in India and Pakistanliterally means flower working, which was at one time used as the word for embroidery, but in time the word “Phulkari” became restricted to embroidered shawls and head scarfs. Simple and sparsely embroideredodini (head scarfs) and shawls, made for everyday use, are calledPhulkaris, whereas garments that cover the entire body, made for special and ceremonial occasions, are known as Baghs ("garden").

Phulkaris and Baghs were worn by women all over Punjab during marriagefestivals and other joyous occasions. They were embroidered by the women for their own use and use of other family members and were not for sale in the market. Thus, it was purely a domestic art which not only satisfied their inner urge for creation but brought colour into day to day life. In a way, it was true folk art. Custom had grown to give Phulkaris and Baghs to brides at the time of marriages. Some best Phulkaris and Baghs are known to have been made in Hazara and Chakwal, areas of Northern Punjab inPakistan.

Some scholars feel that the art of Phulkari came from Iran where it is known as “Gulkari”. Some feel it came from Central Asia along with Jattribes who migrated to India and settled in Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat. There is reference of Phulkari in Vedas, Mahabharat, Guru Granth Sahib and folk songs of Punjab. In its present form, phulkari embroidery has been popular since the 15th century.

The main characteristics of Phulkari embroidery are use of darn stitch on the wrong side of coarse cotton cloth with coloured silken thread. Punjabi women created innumerable alluring and interesting designs and patterns by their skilful manipulation of the darn stitch. The basekhaddar cloth used in Western Punjab is finer from those of Central Punjab. Black/blue are not preferred in Western Punjab, whereas white is not used in East Punjab. In West Punjab, 2 or 3 pieces of cloth are first folded and joined together. In East Punjab, they are joined together first and then embroidered.

In Phulkari embroidery ornaments the cloth, whereas in Bagh, it entirely covers the garment so that the base cloth is not visible. The end portion of pallav of Phulkari have separate panels of exquisite workmanship of striking design.

The most favoured colour is red and its shades, because Bagh and Phulkari are used during marriage and other festivals. Red is considered auspicious by Hindus and Sikhs. Other colours are brown, blue , black, white. White was used in Bagh by elderly ladies. Silk thread in strands came from Kashmir, Afghanistan and Bengal. The best quality silk came from China.

No religious subject or darbar scenes were embroidered. Phulkari encompassed life in the villages. Creative ability of Punjabi women has produced innumerable and intricate geometrical patterns. However, most motifs were taken from everyday life. Wheat and barley stalk with ears are a common motif.