Phulkari is a traditional embroidery that hails from Punjab, where women adorn their shawls, dupattas, clothes and fabric with stylized floral motifs and geometric forms with silk threads.
The Colours in Phulkari Embroidery
The colours used in a Phulkari embroidery design symbolize specific moods and emotions. Red signifies love, and sexual union between a man and woman and also showcasing power and passion.
Blue is another hue which is very important for Indian women as it is associated with Lord Krishna, the divine lover, it also expresses deep longing.
Golden yellow is the colour of ‘Basant’ and signifies the mustard fields, while green showcases fertility and growth. The threads in a Phulkari embroidery are coloured silk threads of a variety of shades.
Making of Phulkari Embroidery Dupatta
There exist numerous types of Phulkari embroidery. A popular variety, Bagh is often embroidered on a coarse cotton cloth called ‘Khaddar,’ which has a smooth surface.
All varieties of cotton that are used for making the Phulkari are sourced locally from the cultivation of raw material to spinning yarn and weaving.
Phulkari embroidery reflects Punjabi women performing day-to-day activities, a woman spinning the wheel, some dressed in traditional attire, some making food, etc.
Phulkari Embroidery: Then vs Now
Newer Phulkaris reflect the modern and contemporary societal changes in the piece such as railways, aeroplanes, and changing landscapes.
Phulkari embroidery motifs stand as a testament to women’s ingenuity and their hard and handy work. It reflects their agency to pick up something small and pale and make it into something beautiful.