Ahir Embroidery - Kutch, Gujarat
Ahir embroidery of Gujarat is a rhythmic row of embroidered patterns, circular mirrors encircled with stitches enriching the fabric and material of this kind can be used for home decor, clothing and other utility. The bright colors of the threads and glittering pieces of mirrors embellish fabric and it is a feeling of grandeur appeal to every soul and remains in heart. There is an outline stitch, filling and pattern stitches that goes in Ahir embroidery. It is all hand stitched and time taking, yet women folks indulge themselves in this type of embroidery and create striking patterns. There are plenty of stitches that are used to beauty the product. There are many communities who involve themselves in embroidery and each community has their signature sews that distinguish the stitches from the rest. Some of the known communities are rabaris, ahirs, jats, bharwads and harijans, and they all have their own styles of embroidery.
Ahir is the name of the community and they have their set of stitches and techniques hence the embroidery has got its name Ahir embroidery. Basically it is a cow herding and farming community and are called as agricultural tribe. They have a historical background of being warriors, considering fearless, they were also named martial race as well.
The embroidery is one of the most easily identifiable styles of embroidery from Gujarat and a supported handicraft textile in India. It is characterized by the use of bright colors, mirrors and intricate needlework that embellishes the entire fabric.
Gujarat is a pool of handicrafts and to visit villages will lead to exploration of crafts that are joy to the eye and also to take some of the products home for a traveler as a memento for the journey. Traditional handicrafts such as Bandhani, Bead work, Patola, Jewelry, Pottery, Zari and needle work embroideries are very much known all over the country and people from all over the world come and visit this place for the diverse culture. Embroideries are quite known, and are traditionally done by women folks of the village. Some embroidery designs are regional and others are specific to their community. It plays a major role in marriage. In many communities, a girl makes articles for her bridal goods throughout her childhood. Her ability as an embroiderer is important in her gaining a husband, and the embroidered bridal goods is publicly displayed to demonstrate her skill and the textile wealth she is bringing to the marriage. The embroideries mainly consist of a lifetime’s supply of clothing for the bride and gifts for the family such as beetle bag, linen for the bed and so on. Apart from contributing to the considerable economic exchange required for marriage, embroideries created by village women bring a spark of color into objects of their every day and ritual use. The colorful sparkling garments and household decorations, portable objects suited to mobile life - have traditionally been used during auspicious occasions, to honor deities, or to make wealth. Patterns, motifs and colors are usually very specific relating to that particular region.
Hiralakshmi Memorial Craft Park is a place which is created with a vision to preserve restore and promote the arts of Kutch and making it accessible to the people. This place has become a platform to encourage the artisans to retain the craft and enhance. The park is available to the public free of cost and are allowed to have a look around. A few kilometers from the park, Bhujodi, is the village Chapredi. It is a small village of Bhuj in Kutch district and comes under Chapredi Panchayath and a family from that village have sustained the craft of hand embroidery Ahir, and display variety of products at the park.
