Philandering Kasuti

Kasuti embroidery has been in vogue for decades andin red, purple, orange, green, reflecting nature and
has earned the immense popularity during the rule ofhappiness on the hand woven clothes.
the Chalukya dynasty along with the art forms inKasuti is mainly practiced on the traditional Ilkai saris.
Karnataka. Kasuti is one of the most fascinatingThe various themes that are embroidered in Kasuti are
expressions of the Karnataka traditional art. Womenthat of gopuram, bells, chariots, temple sculpture,
have developed this art at the cost of some of theirflowers, animals etc. Appearing same on both the
very precious moments of leisure. Women of thesides, various designs include Dagabaji Gopura,
house poured their heart and imagination on the clothGandolagida, Tulasi, Vankipatti, Kayapatti, Gopi Kamala
with the motifs that are quite similar to the designs ofChittu Kamala, Gundala Gopura etc. Than the
rangoli made with colors outside the main door of thegeometrical designs of the Kasuti have been educed
house.from the temple structure.
Kasuti is something of which Karnataka is justly proudInterestingly, it can be done only by calculating the
and is also renowned as the home of this embroidery.threads of the weft and the warp. There is no
Also known as Kashidakari, it has become the integralchances of tracing or implanting the design prematurely
part of the life and tradition of the people. Kasuti workas outlines. With considerable dexterity, an ordinary
is usually done by hand with the use of cotton thread.sewing needle is used to create a variety of designs
A simple tapestry is used backstitch, running stitchwith colored threads on the cloth. Right selection of the
(Neyge), cross stitch (Menthya), and sometimes zigzagcolors, fabulous patterns and expertize make Kasuti
stitch. It is indeed a colorful depiction of the motifs donepopular not only domestically but internationally.