COZY MUFFLE -By Abhilasha Saikia
WELCOME TO A WORLD OF WORDS. In this book I want to give you more ideas than before. Ideas on how a small technique called Jaipuri Quilts practiced by the local artisans and craftsmen can bring a big change to your lives. One thing that sparks a lot of creativity and can bring new life to any room is an instant textiles. These quilts bring colour, softness and personality at a home but also add comfort, warmth, lightness and well-being. So, sit back and discover a world of words in context to Jaipuri Quilts on the 49 pages in this book. I hope you'll enjoy them just as much as I did compiling them to make your work easier!
A
RAVALLI
MOUNTAIN RANGES. Literally meaning ď‚‘line of peakď‚”, is a range of mountains in western India running approximately 692 km in a north-eastern direction across Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Rajasthan encompasses the Aravalli mountain ranges and the Great Indian Thar desert which makes the terrain inhospitable and the climate cold, specially at night. The people need to cover them at night without a lot of bulk or weight to carry with them during the day. Over time, local quilt-makers developed techniques which created a quilt that was light, compact, warm and durable, all at once.
B
AANS KA PHARDA/
CHAPPAR KI FALLI. Stick used for spreading the separated cotton fibres which is made up of Bamboo so that the cotton gets layered evenly.
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B
HARAI.
Filling ,it is essentially a male dominated craft process and involves the separation of cotton fibres , its uniform distribution over the base sheet of the quilt and the repeated beating of this cotton layer with a broom ď‚– like tool.
B
INDER.
A substance used to make other substances or materials stuck or mixed together. Binder is used during the making of the colour which is used for imprinting the motifs on the fabric (shell) of the quilt. The white substance in the image is the binder.
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B
LOCK.
A solid piece of hard material, especially of rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side. For printing wooden blocks are used as it soaks moistures and the carving is easier on wood and cost-effective. Hence, the name came ď‚“Block printingď‚”.
C
ARDING.
Carding separates the cotton fibre, allowing the workers to draw out all the dross or waste material. Mainly done manually so that the quilts are extra warm as well as extra light.
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C
HHAAPA.
Broom like tool used for beating the cotton stuffed inside the of quilt.
C
HHIPAS
These are the printers from western parts of Rajasthan such as Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar and Sawai Madhopur. These are particularly skilled in blending colours and are widely acknowledged for manufacturing wooden blocks that are pieces of art in themselves, hand-carved and precisely chiseled.
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C
ONFLATE.
The different materials such as binder, fixture and dye colour are mixed together to bring out the colour to be used on the prints of Jaipuri quilts.
D
ERIVATION.
The source or origin from something comes. The origin of the motifs made on the quilts came from the Mughal dynasty be it the floral, animal, organic or geometric.
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E
MBELLISH.
The Jaipuri quilts are made more attractive, as by adding ornament or colours like shells, beads, sequence work or embroidery.
F
ABRICATE.
Put together out of artificial or natural components. Nowadays, to same time and to reduce the costing fabrication is used for making Jaipuri quilts which is reducing the value of original handmade ones.
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F
IXTURE.
A liquid which is used to fix the colour on the surface. Only one drop of it is used which is very effective. This doesn't let the colour drain out while washing the quilts.
F
LORAL
Of flowers, prints made on any surface. The motifs which are done on the fabric or shell of quilt are floral.
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G
LOBALISATION.
Growth to a worldwide scale. Jaipuri quilts have been famous in the global market. These are outsourced and exported and are very much liked by tourists. It is therefore , could be called as exchanging culture in the global market.
H
EREDITY.
Inherit or inheritable by established rules of descent. Likewise, the skill of quilt making is passed on to generations to generations so as to sustain the heritage. The artisans prove to be expert on this area as they involve all the family members from their childhood into it. Hence, this profession is hereditary.
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I
MPRESSION.
A mark impressed on a surface. A graphic or pictorial representation of something. After putting colour on the carved blocks the impression is left on the fabric of different motifs.
J
UTE.
Rough fibre made from the stems of a tropical Old World plant, used for making twine and rope or woven into sacking or matting . Jute has the tendency to keep the moisture for longer duration. So while printing the ink is poured and spread on jute. Each time the print needs to be printed the block first sucks the colour from the jute and prints on the fabric.
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K
INCOB.
Some of the Jaipuri quilts are embroidered on silk with gold and silver threads.
L
IMPID.
Clear and bright colours and prints are used on the fabrics of Jaipuri quilts.
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M
ANIFOLD.
There is an art of folding the Jaipuri razai It can take many and varied forms.
M
ANSURIS.
Cotton mattress and quilt makers
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M
OTIF.
A design that consist of recurring shapes or colours. The motifs used to make the Jaipuri quilts attractive are animals like elephants, camels i.e, the animals found in the region; floral motifs like long leaves or paisley (kerry) and marigold flower which is meant to be auspicious.
N
EXUS.
The means of connection between things linked in series. The motifs on the Jaipuri quilts are linked with each other as organic motifs are mostly used. These are repetitive and connected.
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O
BVOLVENT.
As the motifs are organic and inspired from nature, they resemble the creepers - Enwrapping, curved downward or inward.
O
GER.
The patterns done on this kind of quilts are Sshaped. Either they are revered or an inversed S.
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P
AAN KI PATTI.
Spade shaped motifs used. This is also one of the commonly used motifs on Jaipuri quilts. But these motifs are not connected though repeated all over specially on white base.
P
AISLEY.
Adistinctive intricate pattern of curved feathershaped figure based on an Indian pine-cone design. The paisley is the most used motif that is found in the technique of Jaipuri quilt. Also known as Kerry in Hindi because the shape has been derived from unripe mango.
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Q
UILTING.
The making of quilts as a craft or leisure activity. This started as a leisure activity but it became a very useful and needful profession which is touching the global market now.
Q
UOTANNAL /
QUOTENNIAL.
The quilts are so light and warm together that they are used the whole year . This is the specialty of Jaipuri quilts.
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R
ET.
To expose to moisture; to soak; to soften by soaking. In the process of block printing, jute acts as ret so that the colours used don't get dried up quickly.
S
HAKARPARI.
Diamond shaped motifs used in the outer shell of the quilt. Also, the stitches used on to hold the stuffed cotton is done in diamond shaped.
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T
AGAI.
It is a Hindi word which means quilting , used in local local language, is done by craftswomen; the traditional quilting is quite thick.
T
ESU.
A local flower used to create yellow colour. Natural colours are used to print on the quilt shells. The natural colours do not get washed away and remains the same for years and years.
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T
HAALI.
A circular motif derived from the metal plates from which food is eaten.
U
LTRA MARINE.
Deep blue colour. These prove to be very sophisticated as these are on silk fabric and generally given to the guests when they come home for stay over.
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U
MBER.
Brownish red . This colour is mainly used in silk and velvet fabric for the shell of the Jaipuri quilts. These are very shiny and bright with golden coloured motifs on them. The dark colours donď‚‘t require very frequent wash.
U
NIFARIOUS.
When the quilts are kept in the shops they arranged in a single row or series. This attracts the customers and helps in selecting them. These are kept one over another in rows.
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V
ELVET.
A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton or nylon that has a thick short pile on one side.
V
IBRANT.
Full of energy and life. The motifs, colours , texture, shine of the fabrics make the user lively.
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V
IVID.
(of a colour) intensely deep or bright. The colours used in Jaipuri razais are very vivid. The vivid colours give a glare of warmth. Although subtle colours are also used.
W
ALL FLOWER.
Yellowish ď‚– red colour is believed to be very auspicious colour in Rajasthan. Using this colour on blankets.
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W
ATCHET.
Pale blue. This colour is often used on a white base. The fabric is of cotton and the motifs done on it are of watchet. It is a very subtle colour
X
ANTHIC.
Yellow, yellowish is often used as the taste of the western Indian people is very bright and yellow is an important colour with makes the quilts very attractive to the tourist specially.
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X
YLOGLYPHY.
Wood-carving is done on the blocks which is used to print different kinds of patterns and motifs such as Sanganeri, Daabu, Bagru etc.
Y
ARN.
Threads of wool, cotton, flak, hemp, silk. The yarns converted into fabrics by weaving which are then used for the shell of the quilts are velvet, silk and cotton where velvet is the costliest.
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Y
OKE.
Quilting is all about joining or linking together.
Z
IG-ZAG.
Having short sharp turns or angles. Zigzag pattern is often used in this technique divert from the clichďƒŠ of organic, floral and animal motifs.
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Z
INNOBER.
It is the chrome green. This is often used as it is a cool colour.
EVERY END IS A NEW BEGINNING. This is the end of the book but the very beginning of how you can bring new life to your home. Throughout the year you'll find new designs in the quilts. Keep yourself updated. It's all about globalizing and connecting. Welcome!