Two-sided Eri silk shawl with handstitched intricate patchwork.

Japanese Boro-Sashiko inspired patchwork adapted in delicate Indian Kantha stitch. The panels found a contrasting assembly on two sides of the shawl, covering the horizontal and vertical symmetrical elements. Hundreds of the tiniest patchwork pieces are meticulously joined using only a sewing needle and thread. Many weeks adapted this into this labour of love. In November 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, when Param, the embroiderer, lost all possibility of finding work outside, Gurmail, the tailor, saw her and brought her home. Mumma taught her how to hold the needle. She used to do house construction labour jobs earlier to sustain herself. This was the stark opposite of holding a needle delicately.

Param cannot believe her untrained hands of 2021 could make this embroidered artistry in 2023-24. 

The embroidery has been adapted on Eri Silk that is naturally dyed, handspun, and woven on a throw shuttle loom in rural Assam.

Mahua is a one-of-a-kind textile designed to highlight a unique coming together of various techniques and creativity of handcraft. This design will not be recreated.

Param, the embroiderer who also did the beadwork

Gurmail, the tailor

Narmohan Dada, the master Eri silk pioneer

Mumma, Madhu Mittal, Patchwork technical eyes 

Midtoan.com, the photographer

Designed by Ritika