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Ghagara and Choli (Young Girl's Skrit and Blouse)
Early 20th century CE
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Mumbai, India
This ghagara and choli is embroidered with mochi and kuchhi embroidery respectively. The kuchhi embroidery is further embellished with mirror work.
Bhuj became the main centre of mochi embroidery in the 19th century. It received immense patronage from the Maharaos of Kutch. The royalty engaged the mochi embroiderers in making gifts for their British guests and clothing and furnishing for personal use. The clothes are embroidered with various motifs such as peacocks, floral buttis, stylized flowers, creepers, putlis (damsels) and parakeets.
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Details
- Title: Ghagara and Choli (Young Girl's Skrit and Blouse)
- Date Created: Early 20th century CE
- Location: India
- Provenance: School of Art Collection Sir Ratan Tata Art Collection
- Type: Skirt, Blouse
- Medium: Embroidered Cotton and Satin
- Region: Kutch, Gujarat
- History of Style of Technique: The birth of a child brings great joy as it ensures the growth of the family tree. His arrival in civilised society is marked with a gift of a soft mulmul zabla. According to Indian tradition, it is considered inauspicious to buy any new clothes for the new born. In fact at first the baby is made to wear old clothes of a child from the family. The used clothing is soft for the tender baby skin and it is believed that through these clothes the positive family vibes and values would pass onto the baby. The arrival of a baby is remembered by its tiny clothes; a marriage ceremony by the carefully wrapped up wedding attire; parents are remembered through the garments they pass on to their children. This is perhaps one of the reasons why we treasure heirlooms. The tiny dresses worn by our children hold sweet memories. Treasured more than any expensive garment, they are a strong symbol of love. Earlier, they were stitched and embellished by mothers, aunts, and grandmothers for the child but today the trend of such home-stitched garments is on the decline, being replaced by the variety of readymade clothing available in the market.
- Accession Number: 28.6005G7 22.3181
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