Designs from Indian Textiles (Kashmir Shawls-Jamavar)

About the Book Indian Textiles have been famous the world over since ancient times, and the validations of the same have been found during excavations at various pre-historic sites including 'Mohen-jo-daro' and burial sites in Egypt where fragments of printed cloth have been discovered, the origins of which have been traced to Gujarat The East India Company that ruled over india for over 100 years primarily came as a trading company for indian textiles, mainly the 'Chintz' from the Coromondel region, present day Andhra Pradesh. Kashmir Shawls were the prized possessions of the European nobility including French Queen, Marie Antoinette. Empress Josephine of France owned about 60 'Cashmere' shawls, as they called it. Indian Textiles stood out owing to their superior quality of fabric, magnificence of colors, rhythmic patterns and beautiful motifs which were not only demanded but also copied. The world famous 'paisley' pattern has been drawn from the 'ambi' or the raw mango motif that is very common and widely used in Indian Textiles.

The beauty and uniqueness of the traditional Indian patterns and motifs has been portrayed through this collection of designs that have taken inspiration from world renowned indian textile art forms. While Part 1 is dedicated to Kalamkari, Part 2 is based on the Block Prints. This book which is the third one in the trilogy has been dedicated to or Kashmir Shawls which were famously known as the Cashmere Showls' in Europe. The designs in this book are a contemporary representation of the art form without losing their originality and uniqueness. Separate pages have been provided with detailed outlines for the reader to apply his or her own color arrangement along with contemporary color variations and ideas for design applications. This book will serve as a valuable handbook for textile designers, students, artists, visualizers and craftsmen. Besides the designs can find their use across a wide spectrum of applications such as wall papers, decorative materials, murals, wall art and any and every sphere where design can be applied.

About the Author Aparna Gwande is an Associate Professor at World University of Design, NCR, Delhi, She has a Diploma in Textile Design from Delhi Administration (First Ranker), Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University and a Master's in Management Studies from Pune University (Gold Medalist). As a Textile Designer she has worked with the renowned Vichitra Sarees' banner and has undertaken freelance projects of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, for the development of the handloom sector besides designing for various furnishing brands. As a graphic designer, she has been associated with several publishing houses and has also been involved in the design of web graphics. An avid painter, artist and designer, she derives the inspiration for her designs from nature and the exclusivity of her designs is intricate pen work and extensive detailing with a harmonious and balanced blending of colors. She lives in New Delhi with her family and her other interests include gardening, singing, playing badminton, travelling and collecting handloom & handicraft Items.

Introduction India, since ancient times, has enjoyed a prominent and commanding position on the global textile map. Textiles from here have made their mark in every part of the world. During the excavation at Mohen-jo-daro', a civilization that existed almost 5000 ago, a stone bust of a supposed Priest-King draped in a robe with trefoil design has been found which resembles the Ajrakh print of the Gujarat region. Fragments of traded Block printed cloth were excavated at burial site in Egypt, the origins of which were traced to Gujarat. Interestingly, even the East India Company that ruled over India for over 100 years, primarily came as a trading company for Indian textiles, mainly the Chintz from the Coromandel region. It is well known that the Kashmir Shawls were the prized possessions of the European nobility including French Queen, Marie Antoinette. Empress Josephine of France owned about 60 Cashmere shawls Napoleon's wedding gift to his second wife, Marie-Louise, included 17 shawls.

One of the essential components of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of India is its wide variety of textile and fabric arts scattered all across the country in various forms. Textiles hold an important place in the culture and history of India so much so that every festival celebrated in any region has an element of fabric or costume attached to it. There are numerous styles, techniques and traditions of textile manufacture and decoration that vary from place to place. Each region has its own unique set of designs, patterns, motifs, colors and weaving techniques which give the textiles of the region a character of its own thus setting them apart. The unifying factor being the richness of the hues, brightness of colors and the earthy appeal that are unparalleled in beauty and magnificence.

In the global arena, Indian textiles have been well known since very ancient times. The rich textiles that were produced in this country thousands of years ago attracted travelers and merchants from all over the world. No other country in the world can boast of such a wide variety of indigenous textile forms and techniques practiced since ancient times as an art, a way of life!

The Jamavar, a special type of shawl that is woven in Kashmir, is among the most exquisite textiles ever woven. In the past it has been coveted by Mughal kings, Sikh maharajas, Iranian nobles, French emperors and Russian and British aristocrats among others.

The purpose of this book is to bring to the fore the uniqueness and grandeur of the world renowned Indian in the form of designs, patterns and motifs drawn from them along with providing their brief historical narrations. Separate pages have been provided with detailed outlines for the reader to apply his or her own color arrangement along with variations and ideas for design applications. Each and every pattern out exclusively and has the potential to be used across diverse disciplines. The designs in these series of books are a contemporary representation of the art forms without losing their originality and uniqueness. This book will serve as a valuable handbook for textile designers, students, artists, visualizers and craftsmen. Besides the designs presented in the book can find their use across a wide spectrum of applications such as wall papers, decorative materials, murals, wall art and any and every sphere where design can be applied. In the global arena, Indian textiles have been well known since very ancient times. The rich textiles that were produced in this country thousands of years ago attracted travelers and merchants from all over the world. No other country in the world can boast of such a wide variety of indigenous textile forms and techniques practiced since ancient times as an art, a way of life !

**Contents and Sample Pages**