This document provides an overview of Phulkari, a traditional embroidery art from Punjab, India. It originated as a domestic craft used to decorate items like shawls and was inspired by motifs from daily life like vegetables and flowers. Various types of Phulkari include Bagh, Thirma, and Darshan Dwar Bagh which differ in their designs and patterns. Over time, the tradition has evolved with some associations trying to keep it alive though it has also been industrialized and commercialized. Famous designers like Manish Malhotra and Kanika Goyal have featured Phulkari in their work.
4. INTRODUCTION
Originated from Punjab.
Literally meaning “flower work”.
Phulkari was a part of every important
moment of local life and a means of
socializing .
Purely a domestic art which not only
satisfied their inner urge for creation but
brought color into day-to-day life.
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7. HISTORY
Birth of this handicraft was basic necessity and
family culture and not artistic purpose.
This was never fabricated for sale.
Each regional group is identifiable by it’s unique
embroidery work.
Phulkari word indicates shawls that were loomed
and embroidered to cover woman’s head or to be
displayed in Gurudwara.
It is rural tradition of handmade embroidery in north
west India and Pakistan during 19th century and
early 20th (geographically specific)Khaddar threads
were the naturally loomed dyed threads.
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9. TYPES OF PHULKARI
Phulkari is present in various forms some of them are:
I. Bagh
II. Thirma
III. Darshan dwar
IV. Sainchi
V. Vari-da-bagh
VI. Bawan bagh
VII. Chope
VIII. Suraj mukhi
IX. Kaudi bagh
X. Meenakshi bagh
XI. Panchrangi
XII. Satrangi
21. MOTIF
Women developed various motifs with inspiration from
vegetables, flowers, animals they had Karela, gobhi,
dhaniya, mirchi bagh.
Everything was inspired from the daily life.
Lehariya bagh (wave), satranga and pachranga .
Mor bagh (peacock).
Most common and beautiful are inspired from
wheat/barley stalks .
Recent new motifs are parantha (originally eight colors),
kanchan design, butti design.
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23. COLORS & SHAPES
Done with vertical, horizontal and diagonal stitches .
No different shades are used for shading purpose .
Shiny thread reflects different shades in different
directions.
Most favored color is red and it’s shades because bagh
and phulkari are used during marriage and festivals.
Main colors are yellow, orange, red, green, pink, blue and
white.
Other colors are brown, blue, black .
White was used in bagh by elderly ladies.
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25. PHULKARI TODAY
Some associations are trying to keep it alive.
Originality lost, industrially made .
Punjab’s villages washed out of their best
pieces.
Easily available all over the world through
internet.
Price rise of fine Phulkari and bagh in very
big proportions.