Parsi embroidery is a unique part of India’s diverse textile heritage. This unique artistic tradition has its roots in Iran during the Bronze Age but with time it has drawn influences from European, Chinese, Persian and Indian culture. The Parsi Gara enjoyed its golden period between 1910 and the 1930s. Some of the most popular embroideries were the Chinese phoenix and the cranes. Fish was another popular motif. Fabrics also sported designs such as ornamental flowers and even Chinese sceneries. The Parsi Gara had an absolute influence on the way Bengali women wore the sari. Jnanadanandini Devi of Kolkata’s famous Jorasanko Tagore family is credited with a sartorial revolution, way back in the 19th century. The wife of Satyendranath Tagore (the first Indian ICS and elder brother of poet Rabindranath Tagore), she adopted and adapted the style of wearing the Parsi Gara saree.
The Circle Community brings together Parsi Embroidery Workshop with Aparna Agrawal.
About The Artist
Aparna is from Indore and is 25 years old and has a bachelors degree in fashion in NIFT. She is a self-taught artist and developed an interest in embroidery during her fashion designing course.
The Workshop Began
Aparna greeted all the participants and thanked the host for the lovely introduction. She first started teaching backstitch stitching, chain stitching, stem stitching, satin stitch. Shen then continued to teach fly stitch, woven wheel, lazy daisy and french knots. All the stitches were sewed in a crimson red colour thread. She concluded the embroidery and made it fun and interesting for all those who like embroidery.
Towards The End Of The Workshop
Aparna made eight different types of Parsi Embroidery Gara as the backstitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, french stitch, woven wheel, satin stitch, lazy daisy and fly stitch. All the participants appreciated Embroidery and showed her co-created embroidery to Aparna. The host thanked Aparna for teaching this traditional and cultural Parsi Gara embroidery.
The attendees were from different parts of the country. They also belonged to different age groups but their love for art brought them together on a single platform. The Circle Community, as always, was successful in connecting artists and curating a magical and positive vibe together.
On this note, here’s us signing off until next time!
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