Das Maha Vidyaein
Details
Artform
Chamba Rumal, Himachal Pradesh
Artist
Padma Shri Lalita Vakil
Dimensions
53x32 Inches
Medium
Embroidery on cotton cloth
Framing
Unframed
Year
Mid 20th Century
Learn More
The Painting
The artwork embroidered by Padma Shri Lalita Vakil depicts Das Maha Vidyaein. They are a group of Hindu goddesses associated with power and knowledge. The goddesses are shown in various poses and surrounded by symbols and attendants. The colors used in the embroidery are vibrant, with shades of red, blue, green, and yellow predominating. The delicate embroidery is done on a square piece of cotton cloth using silk threads. Here the artist has employed a unique technique called do-rukha, a double satin stitch carried forward and backward alternately, and simultaneously on both sides of the rumal thus giving it an equal appearance from either side.
The Artform
"Chamba Rumal is a traditional textile art form that originated in the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh, India in the 18th century. Renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, this art form revolves around the creation of intricately embroidered handkerchiefs or rumals. The delicate embroidery mostly done on square pieces of silk or muslin cloth typically features vibrant colors, intricate floral patterns, and mythological motifs. The artists employ a unique technique called do-rukha or double-sided embroidery, where the designs are embroidered on both sides of the fabric, resulting in a reversible and equally captivating piece of art. Despite losing its royal patronage during Indian independence, the tradition continued passing down through generations, with artists meticulously preserving and enriching the heritage. With its revival in the 1970s, these rumals now often depict scenes from Hindu mythology, local folklore, and nature, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the region. The art form not only serves as a testament to the dexterity of the craftsmen but also reflects the deep cultural roots and artistic sensibilities of the Chamba community. Today, Chamba Rumals are not just utilitarian items but revered pieces of art that exemplify the fusion of skill, tradition, and aesthetic beauty. "
The Artist
Lalita Vakil is an Indian embroidery artist known for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of Chamba Rumal. Vakil was awarded Padma Shri in 2022 by the Government of India for her contributions to the field of arts. She was also awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2018. While working on small pieces of square cloth in the art and craft class at school where she first learned the embroidery technique of Chamba rumal, Lalita Vakil was then only a teenager. Lalita recalls how her father-in-law, a native of Chamba, recognized her latent and intricate designs on chamba rumal and told her to train local girls and women, who could also make their livelihoods from embroidery. This also helped her in the drive to revive the dying art. Lalita has trained hundreds of women, a few of them in their third generation.
Provenance
The painting has been created by Bridge Bharat’s master artist partners.
Customizations
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Other details
The price you see is for an unframed painting. If you want us to custom frame the artwork, please drop us a message. We highly encourage this, framing is an art by itself :) The artwork you will receive is as close to the original artwork as possible but as with all things handmade, there may be minute differences in color and motifs, truly rendering each artwork one of a kind. Trust the process!