About the Art:
The Chamba Rumal or Chamba handkerchief is an embroidered handicraft that was once promoted under the patronage of the former rulers of Chamba Kingdom.
Known as a "needle wonder" or 'needle painting", Chamba Rumal is made in square and rectangular shapes. The materials used still consist of muslin, malmal, khaddar (a coarse fabric), fine charcoal or brush, and silk threads without knots.
Using a double satin stitch (dorukha) for the embroidery, both faces of the cloth are concurrently stitched by a forward and backward technique to maintain uniformity of design on both faces of the rumal. After completing the embroidery, the fabric is stitched with a border of about 2 to 4 inches on all sides.
This speciality called dorukha embroidery (double-faced), came from Kashmir to take root in Basohli and Chamba, but the inspiration was taken from the fabled miniature paintings of the region.
Popular themes are Raasmandala, Ashtanayika and other stories around Krishna.
Pahadi miniature artists draw the outlines in charcoal and suggest colour schemes which is then skillfully embroidered by the embroiderer.
What we learn:
In this workshop, we will learn about different stitches, motifs, florals, techniques and subjects of Chamba Rumal alongwith its history and development.
We will create a 12"x12" rumal with a Devi theme, depicting the goddess in all her glory.
You will receive a kit with 10 colors of silk thread, one fabric piece marked with the design and one extra fabric unmarked (for practice) and a needle.
About the artist:
We will train under state awardee artist Indu Sharma ji who will join us LIVE from Chamba. Indu Sharma is among the most skilful artists in Chamba and has received state- and national-level recognition for her Chamba rumal embroidery.
She is working since the age of 19, receiving her training in the craft from veteran artist Kamala Nayyar.