In a market, Chitra chanced upon a little bag from Afghanistan, which led her to research its tribal origins.
A query about how French lace goods came to be used as a saree fabric in India resulted in a search for more information. Chitra Balasubramaniam shares what she discovered.
The Banjara embroidery design on a small dowry purse comprises simple squares, rectangles, and line work. But oh! The colors!
Done in khamak, an intricate form of embroidery, this dastarkhan consists of delicate silk satin stitches on finely woven fabric.
Can a simple square piece of cloth decorated with fine embroidery be a part of the collective heritage of a community? The answer is yes when it comes to the chakla.
Contributor Chitra Balasubramaniam shares a beautiful piece that ties into history.
Gold and beadwork adorn this traditional headdress, which was one of Chitra’s first pieces for her collection of textiles.
A simple design, minute satin stitches, and fabulous colors in the base fabric and stitching drew Chitra to this suzani textile.
With no flowers or animals, the geometric motif of this quilted sujni was an unusual find.
An embroidered bag from Chitra’s collection raises questions about its origins.