Khushi Sharma
Phulkari: Literally means ‘flower work’. It is a style of embroidery that has its origins in the state of Punjab, India. Initially, it was the womenfolk who worked with bright colourful thread strands to create beautiful flower motifs on cotton fabrics.
The phulkari of south and southwestern Punjab in India and Pakistan has wide edges upon which designs of animals and birds are embroidered. As is the case of the chope, the edges are embroidered on both sides of the cloth.
It is also said that the jats, the strongest clan in South-east Punjab who are agriculturists, introduced the art of Phulkari wherever they went
It is a very crucial and integral part of the state Punjab and it is imperative to keep the traditional handicraft alive.
There are several types of phulkari embroidery like:
Darshan dwar
Thirma
Chope
Bhawan bagh and many more
Patterns
The hallmark of Phulkari is, making innumerable patterns by using long and short darn stitches. The designs were not traced. Techniques and patterns were not documented but transmitted from word of mouth and each regional group was identified with the style of embroidery or design. The thread came from Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Bengal and was dyed in the big cities by the lalaris. The best quality silk came from China.