MIRROR WORK IN TEXTILE

MIRROR WORK IN TEXTILE - Indian traditional and folk art is full of delicacy, ethnicity and culture and one of its traditional art is Mirror work which is mainly created in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Mirror work is a type of embroidery which is created by attaching small mirror pieces together along with colourful threads and beautiful stitches in them. This embroidery (kasheedakari) was especially influenced by cultural interactions.

Mirror work, traditionally, is known as Shisha Embroidery. The Shisha embroidery was originated in THE 
17th-century in India. In early days, this embroidery is done by using metal such as tin, Mica, tin or silver but later on glass took their place. The mirrors are cut in different shapes and are embroided with different stitches to bring beautiful look to the embroidery. The use of decorative mirror or shisheh was introduced from Iran during the Mughal Empire. This form of embroidery work is now most common on the Indian subcontinent, especially in parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Baluchistan and Sindh. This type of embroidery lends a sparkling appearance to the brightly colored clothes worn in the region, and is very popular for use on clothing, hangings, tapestries, and domestic textiles.

Mirror work can brighten up a dull mono-coloured fabric by producing a shimmering design that makes it more appealing. Stitches used in mirror embroidery are combination of cross stitch, satin stitch and button hole stitch, along with mirrors is especially used in Gujarat. The mirror work is also preferred in Rajasthan with the same passion. It is also used to accentuate the appearance of Orissa appliqué.

Mirror work is used to embellish and decorate a variety of items such as sarees, dresses, skirts, bags, cushion covers, bedspreads, wall hangings and many such accessories. The products prepared with the addition of mirror work are preferable not only in India but also in the whole world.

Mirror work is used on various fabrics such as georgette, crepe, cotton, silk, chiffon and many more which are then turned into attractive apparel.

A different variations of this art can be seen in varying shades across the various regions of  states such as Gujarat and Rajasthan. As Gujarat is particularly famous for its mirror-embellished chaniya-cholis, torans, tapestries, accessories, apparel and bags so mirror work was mostly practiced their only. different variations of this craft can be seen in varying shades across the various regions of the state. Gujarat is particularly famous for its mirror-embellished chaniya-cholis, torans, tapestries, accessories, apparel and bags and other exquisite mirror work handicrafts from the state.