NCERT Textbook: Textiles and Traditions | Arts (kriti) Class 7 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


Notice the elements of art in these motifs.
18 
Just  like you use a pencil 
and paper to create 
pictures, artists use cloth, 
thread and needle to 
create artwork. 
Indian textiles are known for a variety of 
motifs, each having symbolic meanings of their 
own. Motifs are decorative images that usually 
repeat and form patterns. They vary from region 
to region and are seen in many fabrics worn today .  
Explore some of the motifs and their meanings 
here, before you proceed to other activities in this 
chapter. Learn a few basic skills and techniques 
to create your own textile artwork. 
Parrot  
Truth, knowledge 
and love 
Mango (Paisley) 
Fertility, life and 
eternity
Peacock  
Royalty, 
immortality
Lines 
Movement and 
progress
Dots and circles 
Wholeness and 
one’s energy  
Patchwork quilt
TEXTILEs AND 
traditions
Page 2


Notice the elements of art in these motifs.
18 
Just  like you use a pencil 
and paper to create 
pictures, artists use cloth, 
thread and needle to 
create artwork. 
Indian textiles are known for a variety of 
motifs, each having symbolic meanings of their 
own. Motifs are decorative images that usually 
repeat and form patterns. They vary from region 
to region and are seen in many fabrics worn today .  
Explore some of the motifs and their meanings 
here, before you proceed to other activities in this 
chapter. Learn a few basic skills and techniques 
to create your own textile artwork. 
Parrot  
Truth, knowledge 
and love 
Mango (Paisley) 
Fertility, life and 
eternity
Peacock  
Royalty, 
immortality
Lines 
Movement and 
progress
Dots and circles 
Wholeness and 
one’s energy  
Patchwork quilt
TEXTILEs AND 
traditions
THREADING STORIES
Dhaaga and Soodi 
had an argument 
one day. Dhaaga 
wanted the curtain 
open and Soodi 
wanted it shut. 
The curtain was 
being pushed 
around and it 
finally screamed,
The curtain 
continued to speak and 
told them the story of 
how it was made.
“When your Aaji 
passed away, your 
parents kept  few of 
the special clothes she 
used to wear. I am 
the patchwork they 
created using pieces of 
fabric from her clothes.
Look at all the 
pieces that have been stitched together on my 
body. Each of these is from the clothes your Aaji 
wore. Here is a piece from the beautiful sweater  
she knitted herself. Next to it, is a piece from the 
yellow saree that had a big tea stain! Touch the 
design on it, your father took that stained portion and 
Thread is called Dhaaga in Hindi. 
Needle is called Soodi in Telugu. 
What are they called in the 
languages you know? Learn what 
these are called in other Indian  
languages! 
“Stop it! Both of you!”
Hearing the curtain 
speak, Dhaaga and 
Soodi froze! 
“Look what you 
have done! You have 
hurt me and now I 
have a tear…”, the 
curtain said. Dhaaga 
and Soodi went 
closer and looked at 
the damaged curtain. 
DO YOU 
KNOW?
187  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
Page 3


Notice the elements of art in these motifs.
18 
Just  like you use a pencil 
and paper to create 
pictures, artists use cloth, 
thread and needle to 
create artwork. 
Indian textiles are known for a variety of 
motifs, each having symbolic meanings of their 
own. Motifs are decorative images that usually 
repeat and form patterns. They vary from region 
to region and are seen in many fabrics worn today .  
Explore some of the motifs and their meanings 
here, before you proceed to other activities in this 
chapter. Learn a few basic skills and techniques 
to create your own textile artwork. 
Parrot  
Truth, knowledge 
and love 
Mango (Paisley) 
Fertility, life and 
eternity
Peacock  
Royalty, 
immortality
Lines 
Movement and 
progress
Dots and circles 
Wholeness and 
one’s energy  
Patchwork quilt
TEXTILEs AND 
traditions
THREADING STORIES
Dhaaga and Soodi 
had an argument 
one day. Dhaaga 
wanted the curtain 
open and Soodi 
wanted it shut. 
The curtain was 
being pushed 
around and it 
finally screamed,
The curtain 
continued to speak and 
told them the story of 
how it was made.
“When your Aaji 
passed away, your 
parents kept  few of 
the special clothes she 
used to wear. I am 
the patchwork they 
created using pieces of 
fabric from her clothes.
Look at all the 
pieces that have been stitched together on my 
body. Each of these is from the clothes your Aaji 
wore. Here is a piece from the beautiful sweater  
she knitted herself. Next to it, is a piece from the 
yellow saree that had a big tea stain! Touch the 
design on it, your father took that stained portion and 
Thread is called Dhaaga in Hindi. 
Needle is called Soodi in Telugu. 
What are they called in the 
languages you know? Learn what 
these are called in other Indian  
languages! 
“Stop it! Both of you!”
Hearing the curtain 
speak, Dhaaga and 
Soodi froze! 
“Look what you 
have done! You have 
hurt me and now I 
have a tear…”, the 
curtain said. Dhaaga 
and Soodi went 
closer and looked at 
the damaged curtain. 
DO YOU 
KNOW?
187  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
created this beautiful embroidery over it. Do 
you see the square window at the centre of this 
patchwork? It was made by a process called 
crochet. This piece was your Aaji's favourite. 
Have you noticed the bottom edge of the 
patchwork? These are called tassels. You will 
see fine threads in it, arranged together and 
knotted in beautiful patterns. There are some 
loose threads even in my tear …see? You can 
clearly see the warp and weft of the weave. 
Remember, I am not just a curtain, I am a 
patchwork of stories. Each piece in me has its 
own story. They are all stitched together with 
many threads. 
When threads start fighting among 
themselves like you both just did, what do you 
think will happen?”
Dhaaga and Soodi looked at each other and 
smiled, “Shall we repair the tear together?”, 
Soodi asked Dhaaga. He agreed and they got 
busy. What would you do if you were Dhaaga 
or Soodi? 
188  |  Kriti
Page 4


Notice the elements of art in these motifs.
18 
Just  like you use a pencil 
and paper to create 
pictures, artists use cloth, 
thread and needle to 
create artwork. 
Indian textiles are known for a variety of 
motifs, each having symbolic meanings of their 
own. Motifs are decorative images that usually 
repeat and form patterns. They vary from region 
to region and are seen in many fabrics worn today .  
Explore some of the motifs and their meanings 
here, before you proceed to other activities in this 
chapter. Learn a few basic skills and techniques 
to create your own textile artwork. 
Parrot  
Truth, knowledge 
and love 
Mango (Paisley) 
Fertility, life and 
eternity
Peacock  
Royalty, 
immortality
Lines 
Movement and 
progress
Dots and circles 
Wholeness and 
one’s energy  
Patchwork quilt
TEXTILEs AND 
traditions
THREADING STORIES
Dhaaga and Soodi 
had an argument 
one day. Dhaaga 
wanted the curtain 
open and Soodi 
wanted it shut. 
The curtain was 
being pushed 
around and it 
finally screamed,
The curtain 
continued to speak and 
told them the story of 
how it was made.
“When your Aaji 
passed away, your 
parents kept  few of 
the special clothes she 
used to wear. I am 
the patchwork they 
created using pieces of 
fabric from her clothes.
Look at all the 
pieces that have been stitched together on my 
body. Each of these is from the clothes your Aaji 
wore. Here is a piece from the beautiful sweater  
she knitted herself. Next to it, is a piece from the 
yellow saree that had a big tea stain! Touch the 
design on it, your father took that stained portion and 
Thread is called Dhaaga in Hindi. 
Needle is called Soodi in Telugu. 
What are they called in the 
languages you know? Learn what 
these are called in other Indian  
languages! 
“Stop it! Both of you!”
Hearing the curtain 
speak, Dhaaga and 
Soodi froze! 
“Look what you 
have done! You have 
hurt me and now I 
have a tear…”, the 
curtain said. Dhaaga 
and Soodi went 
closer and looked at 
the damaged curtain. 
DO YOU 
KNOW?
187  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
created this beautiful embroidery over it. Do 
you see the square window at the centre of this 
patchwork? It was made by a process called 
crochet. This piece was your Aaji's favourite. 
Have you noticed the bottom edge of the 
patchwork? These are called tassels. You will 
see fine threads in it, arranged together and 
knotted in beautiful patterns. There are some 
loose threads even in my tear …see? You can 
clearly see the warp and weft of the weave. 
Remember, I am not just a curtain, I am a 
patchwork of stories. Each piece in me has its 
own story. They are all stitched together with 
many threads. 
When threads start fighting among 
themselves like you both just did, what do you 
think will happen?”
Dhaaga and Soodi looked at each other and 
smiled, “Shall we repair the tear together?”, 
Soodi asked Dhaaga. He agreed and they got 
busy. What would you do if you were Dhaaga 
or Soodi? 
188  |  Kriti
ACTIVITY 18.1: FABRIC JOURNAL
Step 1: Look at the variety of objects in your 
home that are made of fibre or fabric. 
Step 2: Collect a few samples from discarded 
clothes, bags, mats and rags. Visit a local 
tailor and ask them if they can spare small 
pieces of fabric of different thicknesses  
and textures.
Step 3: As you collect textile samples,  
remember to note down a few stories about each 
fabric. Note where you found it, who it might 
have belonged to, what kind of fibre it is made 
of and a few lines about the patterns you see. 
Step 4: Plan the pages of your journal. Work 
in pairs gathering both your textile samples 
and stories. Discuss and identify the different 
materials you have managed to collect  
(cotton/silk/wool/jute, etc.). 
You can choose to organise them by material, 
colour, texture or pattern. For example, plain 
coloured fabrics together, printed fabrics 
together, all cotton together, etc. Include 
your notes and stories to make your journal 
interesting.
Fabric samples collected by students
189  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
Page 5


Notice the elements of art in these motifs.
18 
Just  like you use a pencil 
and paper to create 
pictures, artists use cloth, 
thread and needle to 
create artwork. 
Indian textiles are known for a variety of 
motifs, each having symbolic meanings of their 
own. Motifs are decorative images that usually 
repeat and form patterns. They vary from region 
to region and are seen in many fabrics worn today .  
Explore some of the motifs and their meanings 
here, before you proceed to other activities in this 
chapter. Learn a few basic skills and techniques 
to create your own textile artwork. 
Parrot  
Truth, knowledge 
and love 
Mango (Paisley) 
Fertility, life and 
eternity
Peacock  
Royalty, 
immortality
Lines 
Movement and 
progress
Dots and circles 
Wholeness and 
one’s energy  
Patchwork quilt
TEXTILEs AND 
traditions
THREADING STORIES
Dhaaga and Soodi 
had an argument 
one day. Dhaaga 
wanted the curtain 
open and Soodi 
wanted it shut. 
The curtain was 
being pushed 
around and it 
finally screamed,
The curtain 
continued to speak and 
told them the story of 
how it was made.
“When your Aaji 
passed away, your 
parents kept  few of 
the special clothes she 
used to wear. I am 
the patchwork they 
created using pieces of 
fabric from her clothes.
Look at all the 
pieces that have been stitched together on my 
body. Each of these is from the clothes your Aaji 
wore. Here is a piece from the beautiful sweater  
she knitted herself. Next to it, is a piece from the 
yellow saree that had a big tea stain! Touch the 
design on it, your father took that stained portion and 
Thread is called Dhaaga in Hindi. 
Needle is called Soodi in Telugu. 
What are they called in the 
languages you know? Learn what 
these are called in other Indian  
languages! 
“Stop it! Both of you!”
Hearing the curtain 
speak, Dhaaga and 
Soodi froze! 
“Look what you 
have done! You have 
hurt me and now I 
have a tear…”, the 
curtain said. Dhaaga 
and Soodi went 
closer and looked at 
the damaged curtain. 
DO YOU 
KNOW?
187  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
created this beautiful embroidery over it. Do 
you see the square window at the centre of this 
patchwork? It was made by a process called 
crochet. This piece was your Aaji's favourite. 
Have you noticed the bottom edge of the 
patchwork? These are called tassels. You will 
see fine threads in it, arranged together and 
knotted in beautiful patterns. There are some 
loose threads even in my tear …see? You can 
clearly see the warp and weft of the weave. 
Remember, I am not just a curtain, I am a 
patchwork of stories. Each piece in me has its 
own story. They are all stitched together with 
many threads. 
When threads start fighting among 
themselves like you both just did, what do you 
think will happen?”
Dhaaga and Soodi looked at each other and 
smiled, “Shall we repair the tear together?”, 
Soodi asked Dhaaga. He agreed and they got 
busy. What would you do if you were Dhaaga 
or Soodi? 
188  |  Kriti
ACTIVITY 18.1: FABRIC JOURNAL
Step 1: Look at the variety of objects in your 
home that are made of fibre or fabric. 
Step 2: Collect a few samples from discarded 
clothes, bags, mats and rags. Visit a local 
tailor and ask them if they can spare small 
pieces of fabric of different thicknesses  
and textures.
Step 3: As you collect textile samples,  
remember to note down a few stories about each 
fabric. Note where you found it, who it might 
have belonged to, what kind of fibre it is made 
of and a few lines about the patterns you see. 
Step 4: Plan the pages of your journal. Work 
in pairs gathering both your textile samples 
and stories. Discuss and identify the different 
materials you have managed to collect  
(cotton/silk/wool/jute, etc.). 
You can choose to organise them by material, 
colour, texture or pattern. For example, plain 
coloured fabrics together, printed fabrics 
together, all cotton together, etc. Include 
your notes and stories to make your journal 
interesting.
Fabric samples collected by students
189  | TEXTILE ARTS AND TRADITIONS
ACTIVITY 18.2: EXPLORE EMBROIDERY TRADITIONS
Embroidery is the art of different kinds of stitches, patterns 
and needlework techniques on a fabric. There are several 
embroidery traditions in India. Some traditions also 
incorporate mirrors, beads and sequins into their designs. 
Here are a few examples of embroidery traditions 
practised in different parts of India. 
Name of embroidery Place/region
Chikankari Uttar Pradesh
Chamba Rumal Himachal Pradesh
Kasuti Karnataka
Toda Tamil Nadu
Ahir Gujarat
Kantha West Bengal
Khneng Meghalaya
Gota Rajasthan
Kashida Kashmir
What kind of embroidery have you seen on clothes and 
fabrics  around you? 
Find artists who embroider and talk to them about their art.
Toda
Ahir
Chikankari
INVITE LOCAL ARTISTS
Organise a workshop to introduce some basic 
skills and techniques to students, exposing 
them to various vocations for future. 
190  |  Kriti