 Kasuti Embroidery at DakshinaChitra
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Event |
Kasuti Embroidery |
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Date |
October 7, 8, 2006. |
|
Venue |
DakshinaChitra |
|
Time |
10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
|
Resource person |
Usha Sivashankar |
|
Workshop Fee |
Rs 500. |
Kasuti is a unique form of embroidery of north Karnataka, particularly popular in places like Dharwad, Belgaum, Hubli and Mangalore. The secret of this age-old embroidery is that it can be done only by counting the threads of the warp and weft and the designs can be traced or implanted, as outlines. The earliest known works of Kasuti date back to the 7th century A.D. in Karnataka. It soon spread to the rest of the state and is reasonably well known in the rest of India.
Kasuti employs the counted thread method and is basically geometric designs. The stitch is primarily the straight or running stitch with a predetermined length of each stitch. Since the designs are geometric, precision and neatness is a must. Even a minor error will be obvious and spoil the effect of the embroidery.
Traditionally, it is done on Ilkal sarees and blouse pieces.
Kasuti is of two different types. One is the ‘Do Suti’ Kasuti where the length of the stitch is just two threads of the fabric. In this there will be no right or wrong side of the design. The other ‘Negi Kasuti’ appears to be woven – the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ will be like those in woven patterns.
At DakshinaChitra, Usha Sivashankar will teach this intricate handcrafted embroidery with fine stitches and delicate colours.
Learn this most exquisite form of counted thread work with the resource person. She will teach ‘Do Suti’ Kasuti with matti cloth and then net cloth. Matti cloth, which is used for cross-stitch, is ideal for beginners as counting of threads is easy and the holes are clearly visible. To begin with, small simple borders and small motifs could be worked on hand towels or runners on matti cloth. The next day will be Kasuti on Plain Cloth using a piece of net cloth fixed on it. This could be done on cholis – motifs on the sleeve and the back. Kurtas could also be used.
Ideal material would be cotton for new learners.
The cost of the workshop will be Rs 500 for two days inclusive of material and transport from city office and back.
For registration, contact:
Madras Craft Foundation
G-3, Madhuram Flats,
No.6, Urur Olcott Road,
Besant Nagar, Chennai – 90.
9841423149 / 9841777779.
R Rangaraj
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