Aari work, also known as Zalakdozi, is a type of hand embroidery that is a significant part of Kashmir’s cultural heritage. It is known for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and refined artistry. Aari work can be found on a variety of fabrics and items, including:
- Clothing: Aari work can be found on clothing items like suits and pherans
- Home decor: Aari work can be found on furnishing items like sofa fabrics, curtains, drapes, bed sheets, and covers
Here are some things to know about Aari work:
- Materials: Aari work can be done on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk, wool, velvet, rayon, and chanderi.
- Motifs: Aari work often features floral patterns and animals.
- Time and dedication: Aari work is time-consuming and requires a lot of dedication and passion.
- Durability: Aari work is durable and less likely to unravel, even if the thread breaks. This is because the work is done with knots in between the stitches.
- Name: The name Aari comes from the needle used to do the embroidery, which is called an Aar. The Western name for Aari work is Tambour, which was adopted by the French and Portuguese
Aari work is executed using a hooked needle, Aari, which is placed under the fabric and is used to pull a chain of loops, each rising from the previous in continuous succession. Products created through ari work are stoles, shawls, pheran, kurta, capes.