Indian Embroidery with Chinese genesis and Persian endowment - The Parsi Embroidery.

India has diverse culture with equally diverse art form. Each art form has its own history and cultural importance. In this blog we will view the embroidery which has glimpse of different cultures.

Parsi embroidery is a idiosyncratic legendary. This Praise worthy art was born in the country of Iran during the bronze age, but with passing of time it found influence of European, Chinese, Persian and Indian culture. 

Origin

The Parsi embroidery is originated when Persian traders travelled to China from India. The persion gifted beautiful embroideried silk of China to their women. When Persian settled in India as Parsi they bring with them gara embroidery. There are lots of refined craft that took place in India. This makes their craft unique and show case their identity as Parsi embroidery .

Specific characteristic of the embroidery 

Superior of craftsmanship 

Superior of craftsmanship can be seen in the Parsi embroidery  Sarees with beautiful embroidery in pastel shades and pale white which were also called Gara embroidery sarees

Since many centuries Parsi embroidery sarees present the culture and tradition of the Parsi community. The Gara Saree represents exquisite and smooth embroidery with charming colors it signifies unique grace and techniques of Gara embroidery. 

The Saree embroidered all four sides and takes almost six months to complete this is the reason, the Saree embroidery work become monotonous and intricate. The women who do the needle work of embroidery suffer from falling eye sight, which makes the work taboo. 

Thus, the Gara embroidered Saree is one of the Parsi family heirloom. Not only are they possession of marvel and delight,  it’s work makes worth every penny of Saree cost as it is one among costliest Saree. 

The talk of Parsi women is “how many Gara Saree do you have? “ this shows richness of Gara Saree one among costliest Saree due to finest embroidery on the Saree. 

Description 

The golden period of Parsi embroidery is between  1910 and 1930. The popular motifs in the embroidery were the Chinese phoenix and the cranes,  while fish is also one among popular motifs wherever the flowers and scenarios were main motifs. 

With running of time, lighter version of embroidery came in place of heavier embroidery art, which lead to enriching of Indian textile. Now a days other materials were used by the weavers for embroidery like Georgette and chiffon instead of silk. 

Conclusion 

Parsi embroidery had been extinct, had not unanticipatadlly increases in the demand of embroidery due to effort taken by few fashion designer who redefine the embroidery and save the art to fade away. Though the Gara Saree is more in to the collection in present days. The embroidery is one of the important part of the Indian textile. 

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