Kasuti

Kasuti (Kannada: ಕಸೂತಿ) is a traditional form of folk embroidery practised in the state of Karnataka, India.[1] Kasuti work which is very intricate sometimes involves putting up to 5,000 stitches by hand and is traditionally made on dresswear like Ilkal sarees, Ravike and Angi or Kurta. The Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation (KHDC) holds a geographical indications (GI) protection for Kasuti embroidery which provides intellectual property rights on Kasuti to KHDC.[2]

Kasuti embroidery work on Ravike ca. 1855-1879.

History

The history of Kasuti dates back to the Chalukya period.[2] The name Kasuti is derived from the words Kai (meaning hand) and Suti (meaning cotton), indicating an activity that is done using cotton and hands.[3] The women courtiers in the Mysore Kingdom in the 17th century were expected to be adept in 64 arts, with Kasuti being one of them.[3] The Kasuti embroidery features folk designs influenced by rangoli patterns of Karnataka, mirror work embroidery and gold & silver thread embroidery were mostly used for special occasions like weddings. In Karnataka Sarees embroidered with Kasuti were expected to be a part of the bridal trousseau of which one saree made of black silk with Kasuti embroidery called Chandrakali saree was of premier importance.

Kasuti work
Motifs of kasuti embroidery

Kasuti work involves embroidering very intricate patterns like gopura, chariot, palanquin, lamps and conch shells. Locally available materials are used for Kasuti. The pattern to be embroidered is first marked with charcoal or pencil and then proper needles and thread are selected. The work is laborious and involves counting of each thread on the cloth. The patterns are stitched without using knots to ensure that both sides of the cloth look alike.[4] Different varieties of stitches are employed to obtain the desired pattern. Some of the stitches employed are Gavanthi, Murgi, Negi and Menthi.[5] Gavanthi is a double running stitch used for marking vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines, Murgi is a zig-zag stitch, Negi is a running stitch and Menthi is a cross stitch resembling fenugreek seeds.

Current scenario

Kasuti work has grown beyond its traditional boundaries to be used in other dress materials like the Mysore silk saree.[6] A Kasuti centre was set up in Hubli, Karnataka by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka to encourage the Kasuti culture and also provide a single roof for the rural women to showcase their craft.[2] However Kasuti work is suffering from poor patronage with not many people willing to take the craft seriously; an indication of which is the closure of the Karnataka Kasuti classes by the JSS college in Dharwad.[2]

  • Kasuti embroidery work on silk depicting ratha

See also

Notes
  1. An exhibition of Kasuti work is reported by "Exhibition of Kasuti work". Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2007-03-15. Chennai, India: 2007, The Hindu. 15 March 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  2. History of Kasuti is mentioned by Govind D. Belgaumkar and Anil Kumar Sastry (27 October 2006). "Unique symbols of Karnataka". Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2006-10-27. Chennai, India: 2006, The Hindu. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  3. The origin of Kasuti is discussed by Shyam Subbalakshmi B M. "Between the folds". Online Edition of The Deccan Herald, dated 2003-11-23. 2003 The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  4. A detailed description of Kasuti work is provided by K. L. Kamat. "Kasooti – Traditional Embroidery". Online Webpage of Kamat's Potpourri. © 1996-2007 Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  5. A brief description of Kasuti is provided by "Indian crafts" (PDF). Online webpage of cimindia.net. 2004, Conferences & Incentive Management (I) Pvt. Ltd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  6. Mysore silk sarees using Kasuti work is mentioned by Aruna Chandaraju. "Modern MYSURU". Online Webpage of The Hindu, dated 2005-03-05. 2005, The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 May 2005. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
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