Chamba Rumal: A World Heritage | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Chamba Rumal: A Unique Embroidery Art

• The term Chamba Rumal refers to a distinctive visual art form characterized by its intricate and beautiful embroidery, done on hand-spun cloth using untwisted silk thread. This embroidery style is deeply influenced by Pahari painting traditions.
• This form of embroidery has been practiced in various regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, which were once prominent centers of Pahari art.
• The word "Rumal" is derived from the Persian language, meaning a 'kerchief' – a square piece of cloth traditionally worn on the head or around the neck. The fabric used for this embroidery was typically unbleached muslin or Khaddar.

The Process of Embroidery

• The designs were often drawn by skilled Pahari painters using fine brushes, although in some cases, female embroiderers would create the designs themselves. The Chamba Rumal embroidery technique developed and reached its height in the 17th and 18th centuries in the erstwhile state of Chamba, a period when the art of painting flourished.
• One of the most distinctive features of this embroidery is that no knots are visible, making it viewable from both sides, rendering it reversible. The figures in the design are outlined using a simple stem stitch with black silk thread.
• Other embroidery techniques occasionally used include:
  • Cross stitch
  • Buttonhole stitch
  • Long and short stitch
  • Herringbone stitch
  • Pattern darning
• The primary stitch used is called Do-Rukha (double satin stitch), which ensures that the design appears identical on both sides of the fabric.

Popular Themes

The most famous theme of the Chamba Rumal is the Ras Mandal (circular dance), but other themes include:

• Hunting and wedding scenes
• Nayika-Bheda (classification of heroines)
• The family of Lord Shiva
• The Dasavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu)
• Episodes from the Bhagvata Purana

Chamba Rumal is renowned both within India and internationally. On 31st October 2008, UNESCO recognized Chamba Rumal as a World Heritage art form.