Karigari - Vibrant Expressions
A passion of mine other than food blogging, that I am pursuing is embroidery. I had done quite a bit of hand embroidery during my growing years as a hobby. Once I started working, work constraints never allowed me to pursue it seriously enough. It was after Nehal’s birth when I chose to be a full-time mother, that I had time to think about pursuing it other than food blogging, of course.:) But I never got around to doing any hand embroidery, though I have been lucky to be an integral part of the embroidery process.
Sometime during early 2006, I helped a close friend source fabrics for her commercial venture and during that period I chanced upon an excellent karigar and its a year now since he has been working on my designs, at home. Basically my family and a few close friends get our clothes hand embroidered by him. I work on the design, set the pattern on fabric, hunt and source the required materials & threads (a tough job), supervise the work closely (now you know what keeps me away from food blogging):) and the hard work is done by Riyaz.:)
Here are a few pictures of Riyaz working on Nehal’s silk kurta material (work at progress) and the tailored kurta.
I learn each day by trial and error, from choosing patterns and motifs, the color scheme, setting, using sequins, pearls, kundan stones, swarovski crystals, beads, gold, silver, copper threads etc. Below are a few photos of hand embroidered saris made in 2006 and 2007. [1. pink & purple silk (pattu) sari (2007) 2. orange & green silk sari (pallu with large peacock motif) (2006) 3. mirror work on a shaded blue gorgette (2007)]. I will share more images of the hand embroidered kurtis/salwars and saris made by Riyaz in future posts.
Suvastra has seen the light of the day due to the subtle coaxing of my blogger friend and talented artist, Shilpa, to share my creative pursuits online. Thank you, Shilpa.:)
Few of my blogger friends who have shared their artistic interests online:
Kajal - Henna
Pooja (Creative Pooja) - Mehendi
Indira (Mahanandi) - Hand Embroidery
Shammi (Food, in the Main) - Hand Embroidery
Kajal - Embroidery
Latha’s (Masala Magic) mother, Indira garu - Kasuti Embroidery
Manisha (Indian Food Rocks) - Knitting & Crochet
Shilpa (Aayis Recipes) - Oil Painting, Metal Embossing, Crochet
Shn (Kitchenmishmash)- Glass Painting
Lakshmiammal - Tanjore and Glass Painting
Nupur’s (One Hot Stove) family - Hand crafted gifts
Sree (Sree’s Canvas) - Colored Pencil Sketching
Jacob (The Painted Chef) - Sketching
Annita (My Treasure, My Pleasure) - Dry Flower Arrangement
Easy Crafts
If I have missed anyone or if you are aware of other bloggers who have shared their creative expressions online, please mention in the comments (links to the post would be appreciated) and I will update the above list. I am sure there are many of you, pursuing your creative passions and if you haven’t yet blogged about it yet, do share them.
January 14th, 2008 04:41
Riyaz is such a superb craftsman…my compliments to him. The work is beautiful. It is nice of you to keep these crafts alive. What does “suvastra” mean? Does it have to do with “vastra” as in clothes/fabric?
Congratulations on the new site, Sailu.
Thank you, Nupur. Suvastra in sanskrit translates to ‘fine clothing’.
January 14th, 2008 05:49
congrats sailu on this new site. both you and Riyaz are so talented. i loved the embroidary as well as the design and colours chosen. i know how much of work and patience goes into making this as once a upon time i was very much involved in embroidary. now it seems like ages since i had touched my needle
once again good luck to u both…. and thanks for igniting the passion…
Thank you, Sia. I’d love to see some of your work and I hope you revive your love for embroidery soon.:)
January 14th, 2008 06:47
Hey sailu this is a great website which i can closely relate to.
Thank you, Priya.
January 14th, 2008 07:07
Sailu garu!
Superb art andi. thanks for sharing with us. Riyaz is a simply superb craftsman. You are lucky to meet a person like him. Hope to see more such kind of works. Suvastra ante manchi vastram kada?
Avunu, Madhavi garu, suvastra ante manchi vastram.
January 14th, 2008 07:16
What a beautiful piece of work! Kudos to Riyaz..he’s got real talent and an eye for perfection….I loved the designs too…would like to see more of it here…:)
Shn
Thank you, Shn.:)
January 14th, 2008 07:26
Wonderful!
Now I really know what keep you away from food blogging :)) !
I know some people doing this kind of hand work, and I absolutely love it. I must say that, the way Riyaz is doing it is totally having professional touch. Lucky you too, to find Riyaz.
Its really good that you started this blog! I am sure to come here more often to see new art, being a art lover, i cant help myself to visit this, even if i wish :)) .
Thanks for appreciating my art too dear :),
I am obliged.
-Pooja
Thank you, Pooja. I just love your Mehendi designs.:)
January 14th, 2008 07:36
Dear Sailu,
I wish you all the luck in your new venture…I have a deep love for all Indian weaves and fabrics, though I love wearing them plain! It is my goal to collect atleast one sari from each traditional loom in India and find occasions to wear them too…would love to discuss this with on mail / chat….
Will be totally clued on to this site, and Riyaz is a talented person!
Thank you, Nandita. Same pinch.:) almost all my kurtis/salwars are pure cotton and most of the time plain or with simple embroidery.
January 14th, 2008 07:45
Oh i also want to to know a Riyaz.
Such wonderful patterns. A real artist.
Thank you, Happy Cook.
January 14th, 2008 07:56
Wow….great that finally you started it. I was also going to launch mine today(I made a sub blog in AR), but I was not satisfied with my template. I will give u the link soon….
I love all your embroideries…they are just superb. I want to learn this sometime..I haven’t seen any classes here though :(. All the best Sailu…
Suvastra owes you a lot, Shilpa.:) If not for your constant reminders, I wouldn’t really take it seriously. I’m waiting for the link.
January 14th, 2008 08:45
Won’ful site there again…! Congratulations..! A blog pertaining to interior designing and home making would add totality to the phrase, “Roti, Kapada and Makaan” Hope to see that too soon
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK again,,!
Thank you, Yamini.:)
January 14th, 2008 10:51
Sailu,
Super undi ! This is it .. I must make a trip to Vizag the next time I am in India. Not meeting you would be a pity really.
Convey our warm regards to Riyaz for his karigari. And hugs to you!!!!
I like Yamini’s comment
:D .. if you want to, you may pursue the passion of interior designing too !! I know you have it in you.
Happy Sankranti.
Thank you, Mythili.:) Sankranti subhakaankshalu.
January 14th, 2008 11:30
Dear Sailu,
Congratulations! This is such a beautiful site! Your designs and Riyaz’s karigari are really masterful! Wish you the very best for this lovely venture.
Thank you, musical.
January 14th, 2008 11:37
WOW!! what beautiful karigari……With such pictures online wait till you get orders for this work…
I really don’t have the time to take orders, its for family members and few close friends.
January 14th, 2008 12:10
these are some outstanding designs, and he is a great artist. thanks for sharing this, sailu.
Thank you, Bee.
January 14th, 2008 12:19
Congratulations Sailu. Looks great.. I love the name. Suvastra.. Makes such an apt name. Are you planning to make this venture commercial or is it already commercial.
Good luck !
Thank you. Its not commercial, its only for my family and a few close friends, Revathi.
January 14th, 2008 14:34
Hi Sailu,
Wonderful site.
By the way, happy new year and happy pongal.
Hope to see much more in future.
lakshmi
Thank you, Lakshmi. Sankranti Subhakaankshalu.
January 14th, 2008 15:47
Sailu, you are multi talented. Loved your designs. Wishing you the very best with your venture. Sankaranti Subhakanshalu
Thank you, Sreelu. Sankranti Subhakaankanshalu.
January 14th, 2008 16:49
Congratulations on the new website Sailaja. Suvastra looks beautiful!
I am also a big fan of traditional weave and designs. I can’t wait to see the gorgeous creations by you and your team. It would be a great help to know the latest trends.:)
Thank you, Indira. I will share more pictures of kurtis/salwars in future posts and hope you like them.:)
January 14th, 2008 20:58
Wow, Sailu! You are very talented and so is Riyaz! I wish you the very best in this new venture! Congratulations!
Thank you, Manisha.:)
January 15th, 2008 14:23
Great Sailu,
I can tell you…you are one of the people whom a person (I) can relate and start working on their passion…
You are really inspiring…..great work !!!! This keeps me pushing:)–
Thank you, Rajani.
January 15th, 2008 22:50
Hello Sailugaru !
Congrats on your new venture. I am so tempted by the designs that i want riyaz address now
I wish you all success in the new passions as well.
-Lakshmi
Thank you, Lakshmi garu.:)
January 16th, 2008 19:54
Dear Sailu,
I have been a regular visitor to your food blog but never left a note. Tried most of your recipes and love that they all come from a home-towner!!! I am from Vizag too and love the food with local tastes in them. I always had a feeling I knew you, but today after I saw your post about Riyaz, I am even sure that we’ve met. Keep up the good work and look forward to meeting you next time I am home.
Thank you, SY. Nice to meet another Vizagite. Keep in touch.:)
January 18th, 2008 10:45
Sailu,
Perhaps you would like to include this from Kajal’s blog. Just check it out.
http://kajaldreams.blogspot.com/search/label/Henna%20Design
http://kajaldreams.blogspot.com/search/label/Embroidery.
Thanks, Pooja for the links. Will update.
January 19th, 2008 18:59
Hi Sailu,
nice to see your new site “suvastra” for this new year.
i like crafts. But never had time and facility to learn.
love the designs.
vineela
Thank you, Vineela.
January 20th, 2008 14:38
Congratulations on starting this blog Sailu. I hope this site becomes as successful as your food blog.
Mamatha
Thank you, Mamatha.
January 27th, 2008 15:01
Great Sailu,
Love the color combos and intricate works. Working on such projects is so meditative and addictive ,isn’t it? Hope to see a lot more inspiring designs from you:)
February 25th, 2008 16:05
Hi Sailu,
Nice to know you have good taste and an eye for details. I will be visiting this site more often. Do try to visit mine, leave your comments and add it to the list above. It is always good to share your artwork and learn from others.
Keep up the good work !
-Vidya
February 27th, 2008 02:37
Hi Sailu Garu,
Nenu maa papa(4yrs) birthday ki pattu langa meda work cheyinchali ani anukuntunna. Nenu Hyderabad to vuntanu. Ekkada cheyinchali mee works bagunayi.
March 3rd, 2008 10:15
Hi Sailu,
Such a pleasure to see an Indian site devoted to embroidery.And thanks for all those links to other fellow Indian artists. I had been searching for them for so long.
Deepa
March 5th, 2008 04:39
Hey,
I am a regular at your food blog and simply love it….and came here from there..wow, amazing stuff…do you take orders..I live in vizag too…
Thanks for dropping by and your kind words. Its just a hobby, Rupa. Btw, nice to meet another Vizagite.:)
March 12th, 2008 13:40
Dear Sailu, I have visited your food blog often (yet to leave any comments since I haven’t tried any of your recipes… i’m there almost!) but didn’t realise you’ve another beautiful blog dedicated to my passion:) I came here from Suganya’s tasty palettes. Your blog themselves reveal the creative and artisitic person behind and I’m spell-bound looking at these beautiful presentations. I’ve never been to Andhra (i’m from tamilnadu) but have always heard of the muslim craftsmanship esp in Hyderabad… those bangles and embroidery. I do hope we’ll be fortunate to visit the city once! until then i’ve your wonderful site to feast…
April 2nd, 2008 12:24
Sailu, I really like your recipes!
Now this site has very beautiful art.
Would it be possible to buy a silk sari with embroidery for my mother- I would like to gift it to her. Please let me know.
Thanks
Rani
May 3rd, 2008 09:13
Dear busy body…..i chanced upon this just today and have been lurking here for many hours….this is fabulous of you to share your love for weaves and fabrics….riyaz is a talented artist and it is wonderful that you can bring his talent to the fore….i too am of the ‘lover of all things handmade’ kinds…my wardrobe and home reflect this…infact i often get ragged that i should be the brand ambassador for fabindia or hastakala!! good luck to you…..
May 30th, 2008 05:00
Hi Sailu Garu,
okk matalo cheppali ante meeru great andi….madi kooda vizag e but prasthutham blore lo vuntunnamu…. but still vizag ni miss avuthunnau ani feeling eppudu vuntundi…. naku cooking ante chala interest andi kani asalu radu, anduke andhra recieps ani google cheyyagane first naku mi site e kanipinchindi.. anthe nenu malli e site kosam search cheyyalsina avasaram raledhu. ….. other than recepies naku interior design ante kooda chala interest. …. Congrates and all the best andi. meeru vizag beach deggara cheppina exhibition nenu ma mother tho 2 3 times visist chesanu. it was really good…. but ippudu avatledhu. pchhhh… meeku probs leka pothe mi email id cheppagalara i need to ask u some thing…. if u don’t mind good luck to u
June 6th, 2008 09:00
nice place,.dochkmy tshirt blog..www.notyet100hub.blogspot.com
June 10th, 2008 22:48
i like your work. Your work is clean & appreciable. We are trading in ladies dress materials. I would like to deal with you in this work. Kindly send me your contact details.