Have you ever wondered about how clothes can tell
you stories? To make it alive lets turn our eyes to the
bright land of Rajasthan also called as “Rangeela
Rajasthan” which has a lot of different kinds of
fabrics. The best part is that each one telling a story
about its culture and traditions. Let’s go on a
journey to learn about the cultural importance of
textiles in this beautiful area, where each thread
holds a lot of history and tradition.
COLORS
AND
STORIES
Rajasthan is famous for its bright colors and
complex patterns but its textile history goes way
beyond that. Block printing, tie-dye and needlework
are traditional crafts that have been passed down
from generation to generation representing the
diversity of region. Furthermore, the bright colors
and geometric shapes are more than just pretty to
look. No doubt they capture the spirit of Rajasthan’s
scenery and the lively people who live there.
Textiles play a significant role in social and religious
practices in Rajasthan in addition to being important for
clothes. Lets look at the famous turbans that men in
Rajasthan wear which are called “Pagris.” These
turbans are more than just fashion ornaments, they
stand for pride, respect and social status. Traditionally,
fathers teach their boys how to tie a Pagri creating a
visual language that says a lot about family ties and
history. Furthermore, Textiles are an important part of
Rajasthani home decoration which is going beyond
clothing. Hand-woven rugs, drapes with embroidery
and bedspreads with block prints can make any room
look beautiful and full of cultural expression of the royal
land. The native “dhurrie” rugs which have geometric
designs are more than just floor coverings they tell
stories about nomadic groups and how they lived.
Remember that a Rajasthani textile is more than just clothes so remember the next time you wrap yourself in one
or look at the detailed patterns on a piece of fabric. Each thread holds a story from the past and when you wear
these textiles you become a part of Rajasthan’s long-lasting story where history, custom and art come together in
a bright celebration of life.
