"Vyom" depicts a breathtaking Chamba rumal masterpiece, where intricate embroidery brings to life the majestic flight of Pinju, a tiny bird from Himachal Pradesh. With delicate stitches, the bird soars to dizzying heights, effortlessly gliding over clouds, its spirit unbound.
Chamba rumals are a distinct form of pahari embroidery depicting scenes from Puranic tales and everyday life from the erstwhile Pahari kingdoms in the Chamba region of the present-day state of Himachal Pradesh. Traditionally made for ritual use or gifting, they are embroidered using colourful silken threads on a light background of hand-spun muslin. Chamba rumals are distinguished for their dorukha (double-face) embroidery technique, whereby the design appears identical on both sides of the cloth.
Artist
Dr Rohini Arora
Himachal Pradesh
Dr Rohini Arora is a researcher who works closely with traditional artisans, documenting and reviving traditional dyeing techniques and motifs of Chamba rumal in Kullu and Chamba. The Rumals of Chamba workshop, founded by Dr Arora, supports over 30 traditional practitioners of the craft.
The Craft
Chamba Rumal
The Chamba rumal (handkerchief) gained prominence thanks to royal patronage in the region. These are handspun and handwoven square pieces of khuddar (Khadi cotton) or mulmul (muslin silk). They are embroidered with folk tales, mythology, and vignettes of daily life.
Read more
Realted
More from the Pavilion
