Bengal has an old tradition of Kantha embroidery. Kantha Embroidery of Bengal has enjoyed international repute for the fineness of the muslins woven in Dacca. With exquisite names like Running Water these were woven plain or patterned with thicker threads of white cotton providing opaque patterns on the fine ground. The jamdani again white on white, … Read more

Varanasi Gharana of Indian Classical Music Tbe  Varanasi Gharana of Indian Classical Music is a very old gharana of both Vocal music and instrumental music covering Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumris and major instru­ments like Rudra Bin, Surbahar, Sitar, Tabla and Shahnai in which it has given the country some of the finest perfor­mers. On the Sitar side, … Read more

Maihar Gharana (Sitar) The Maihar gharana for Sitar Music originated by one of India’s greatest music maestros Ustad Allauddin Khan of revered memory. Though basically a Sarodia himself, the great master was a unique combina­tion of a teacher and performer. It is indeed a tribute to his versatile talim in both vocal and instrumental styles received from … Read more

Maihar Gharana (Sitar) The Maihar gharana for Sitar Music originated by one of India’s greatest music maestros Ustad Allauddin Khan of revered memory. Though basically a Sarodia himself, the great master was a unique combina­tion of a teacher and performer. It is indeed a tribute to his versatile talim in both vocal and instrumental styles received from … Read more

Bihar has one of the longest art traditions in the country. The University of Nalanda was renowned not only for its disciplines of Humanities and the Sciences but also for its artistic tradition. The sculptures of that period are noted for their serenity, grace and flowing lines. The city of Patliputra was one of the … Read more

Himachal Pradesh is famous for Chamba Rumal embroidery.  The Chamba Rumals are made of fine cotton or muslin and are embroidered with silk and sometimes with silver and silver gilt wire. It is presumed that the subjects were drawn in outline by the women themselves. However, certain unfinished rumais show such sophistication of drawing that it seems … Read more

Embroidery has for centuries been part of the education of every well brought up Punjabi girl. The Granth Sahib, the religious book of the Sikhs, says “Kadh Kasida pehreh choli, Ta Tum Janoh Nari” (Only when you have yourself embroidered your choli will you be considered an accomplished woman). The phulkari embroidery is the glory … Read more

The Kashmiri embroidery is known as Kashida, a Persian word which, among others, means embroidery as well as drawing. The Kashmiri hand embroidery work uses simple stitches such as the satin, stem, chain and long and short stitches and makes occasional use of the herringbone, button hole and darning stitches. The jail, open work, is used to produce a … Read more

Kathiawar, which took its name from the Kathis, shows a strongly folk element in its embroidery. Kathiawar is very rich in embroidered goods since the art is used for decorating even the humblest home. The toran, or valance, that graces the doorway and offers a welcome to the visitor, is only a foretaste of what … Read more

The Sindhi hand embroidery work shows a delicacy and refinement that can only be the result of court patronage. Even though Sind is no longer a part of India, no work on Indian embroidery can be complete without mention of the hand works done in Sind. Sindhhas absorbed many influences which are naturally reflected in … Read more