Handmade in India

APPLIQUE
Production clusters
Madurai district:
Madurai
Tirchirappalli
district:
Lalgudi
Products
Kodai-umbrella
Poochakara kodaiflower
wheel
umbrella
Magara toranamdoorway
hanging
Thombai-cylindrical
hangings for temple
chariot
Vaasal malai-gateway
garland
Aasandhadu malaiswaying
garland
Tools
Scissors
Sewing machine
Needles
THERE ARE ONLY A few hereditary craftsmen practicing
applique in Madurai.They are from the Pilamar caste and are
all closely related.The applique technique is used to produce
decorated cloth used to produce decorated cloth used for
religious processions of the temples.The process consists of
making paper stencils of the required design pinned onto a
polyester cloth and cut according to the shape.This pieces is
then placed on the base cloth and stitched down.Piping rope
is run along the outline and stitched on the sewing
machine,in addition to outlines done in embroidery
stitches.The main product is the ther seelai comprising many
components which are part of an ensemble for decorating the
temple chariot.Orders from temple continue today for ther
seelai.Applique decorations are used not only in major
temples but also for village festivals propitiating various
forest goddesses.Costumes for priests are also made.The
bustling Madurai Market,well known for selling temple
related products,is located near the Minakshi Temple in
Madurai.
1. Detail of an elephant motif which is appliqued on a
thombai,tubular hanging used to decorate the temple
chariot which is takeb out during the chariot
festival.shaped pieces of cotton fabric are stitched
down on to a base fabric and detailed with different
embroidery stitches.
2. Hand fans depiciting the sun and the moon which are
used in Muslim festivals,Madurai.
3. An applique umbrella on display at the
Pudumanadapam,Minakshi Madurai Temple.
4. An antique applique toranam,nearly a 100 years
old,from a private collection in Tiruchirappalli district.