Handmade in India

KHATWA-APPLIQUE
KHATWA HAS THE same wellspring as
sujuni-the desire to make the best out of
waste.It consists of applique work on cloth
with chain and straight stitch embroidery as
a linear element.The traditional khatwa had
reverse applique in which a layer a cloth is
applied onto a base cloth.The top layer has
incisions or slashes that are folded and
stitched down,revealing the pattern with the
colour of the base cloth.
Cut motifs are stitched on the base material according to an
abstract or narrative design.Much like sujuni,khatwa has been
contemporized after voluntary organizations took up the cause
of the women artisans and their craft.
Traditional motifs drawn from nature or geometry have
given way to scenes from social life as well as graphic
commentary on sensitive issues such as AIDS.Ecofriendly
khatwa is an interesting offshoot-natural-dyed
tussar silk is employed in the applique work.This silk is
entirely made by a tribal women`s group from
Dumka,Jharkand.A voluntary organization has been the
catalyst that created this symbiotic market.More such
initiatives need to be taken-popular crafts like khatwa
have enormous potential to fuel the growth of other allied
markets.
Inset Detail of Khatwa showing the main forms of a
man,bird and leaves in applique and the beehived,bees
and plants done in embroidery,to enhance the theme.
Production Clusters
Patna district:
Patna city
Darbhanga district
Muzaffarpur
district
Madhubani district
Products
Saris,Dupattas
Cushion,Bed and
Sofa covers
Curtains,Table cloths
Wall hangings
Tools
Scissors,chalk,
Embroidery threads,
Needle, Tracing
paper, Pencils,
Sketchpens,
Sharpeners, String
Examples of Khatwa
work;trees,creepers,flowers and animal
motifs.Elephants and birds are traditional
motifs.Recent khatwa has incorporated new
designs and motifs.