Chamba Rumal: Embroideries of the Himalayan Region

ABSTRACT: India has a great tradition of embroidery and different regions have distinctive styles of fine embroidery on cotton, silk and wool fabric. From coverlets to garments, these embroideries have lots of charm and attraction. Of all the regions of the country, the most artistic and picturesque embroidery comes from the Chamba state. It is known as Chamba rumal (coverlet) and is done on white muslin or cotton fabric with colourful silk threads and silver metal thread. Although it is commonly known as Chamba rumal, it is not only rumal or coverlets that are made using this style. The important ones are wall hangings, variety of costumes, fans, covers etc., with beautiful religious, secular, geometric and floral patterned themes. The Chamba rumals show an interesting aspect of embroidery tradition, which reflects the social and cultural life of the people of this region. After careful selection of some of the rumals from the collection of the National Museum, New Delhi, an attempt has been made to show its variety in the types of embroidery and themes that appear on these rumals. KEY WORDS: India - Himachal Pradesh - Chamba state - embrioidery - rumal – coverlet  - mal-mal - cotton cloth - geometric pattern - floral pattern - figural pattern - ritual art - secular art Small, quiet and picturesquely beautiful, the Chamba state' has a special place among the hill states of the Western Himalayan region. Located on the bank of the river Ravi, Chamba is a part of Northern India (at present in Himachal Pradesh) ...