India Week with Brinda Gill - Woven Symphony: Kota Miniatures Woven in Kota Doria
“The work marries the beauty of the Kota Doria weave with the artistry of Kota miniature paintings. Being from Kota, I grew up surrounded by weavers and artists, and witnessing the decline in both traditions motivated me to explore their potential. I wanted to give these crafts a fresh expression to appeal to a new generation, and textile enthusiasts seeking innovation within tradition,” says Dr. Madan Meena, anthropologist and artist.
Dr. Meena's recent work features dupattas (large drapes) and textile art that combine the motifs of traditional Kota miniature paintings with handwoven Kota Doria textiles. The result is a contemporary reimagining of these heritage crafts, blending timeless appeal with modern sensibilities.
Kota, a town in Rajasthan, India, is renowned for its Kota Doria textiles. These are woven using fine yarns in a loose, checked pattern, resulting in a light, airy, and translucent fabric. To weave such delicate textiles, artisans use pit looms, where the ground’s coolness and moisture—enhanced by Kota’s proximity to the River Chambal—preserve the yarns. This prevents breakage, which is a risk in the region’s typically hot and dry climate.
The Kota school of miniature painting, dating back to the 17th century, is equally distinctive. These exquisite works of art capture the lush beauty of Indian forests, teeming with flora, birds, and animals, in intricate compositions.....
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We are proud to be a subscriber-funded publication with members in 185 countries. We know our readership is passionate about textiles, so we invite you to help us preserve and promote the stories, memories, and histories that fabric holds. Your support allows us to publish our magazine, and also ‘what's on’ information, and subscription interviews, reviews, and long-read articles in our online blog.
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CONTENT
OR...to continue reading….
*Magazine subscribers automatically get free access to all our online content. We send the access code by email with the publication of each issue. You will also find it on the envelope containing your magazine. Please note the access code changes every issue.*
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