Transformation of <em>Kantha</em> Traditional Embroidery: As fabric painting

Abstract

Rising concern in traditional Indian embroideries for their time consuming techniques and out dated look and reaching the art of painting at its highest degree of excellence, demands for revival of traditional Indian embroideries. These require bringing them into contemporary look and developed through faster techniques. Fabric painting is an innovative, economical and time saving technique as compare to the embroidery. Present study was conducted for transforming <em>Kantha </em>traditional embroidery designs for fabric painting on <em>jacket</em> for its revival at Hisar, India. Fifteen motifs were explored from market survey, 3 designs were developed and selected from them and finally three placement-design combinations were selected for developing final products. Six <em>jackets</em> were developed, i.e., three with embroidery and three with painting. On the basis of experts’ preferences for developed <em>jackets</em> on various parameters, fabric painting technique was most preferred technique on the basis of overall appearance was considered best. The study will serve guidelines for a new designer to develop articles of same look from traditional embroidery technique with less time consuming techniques. It will open a new vista for women entrepreneur to make low cost articles with great demand. It will also enhance aesthetic beauty of traditional <em>Kantha</em> embroidery.