Kantha Embroidery: Emotions of an artist.

Kantha embroidery involves a simple running stitch. It is the way the embroidery has been used that makes it extra ordinary. The cloth is given layers that were kept together by the stitches. The cloth has multiple uses. It could be used to sleep on or as a light blanket. Kantha is said to be “Dorukha” meaning turning the worn out and old textiles and fabrics to things of beauty.
Kantha evolved out of necessity to drape or protect against cold. Kantha in Sanskrit means rags. It can rightly be called the recycling art. The precious silks and muslins when become worn out, women instead of throwing them away, piled them in layers and stitched. This Kantha work became very much popular and generated huge demand for itself in the fashion world due to its attractive designs and art. Kantha was also said to be lady’s self expression. The real Kantha narrates a story, the emotions and the life of the artist.
Aapno store travelled through the special zones of Rajasthan to explore the best of Kantha work textiles for you. Kantha work textiles at Aapno Store are exclusive and are very rare to find in the local markets.
Check out the Kantha work bed spreads, pillow-covers, cushion covers, dress materials and much more only at Aapno Store. www.aapnostore.com

Sanganeri Print of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is famous in India for its dyeing, printing and embroidery cloth since centuries. Floral, geometrical or animal motifs are major designs of printing. Sanganer is about 8 kilometers south-east of Jaipur. It is famous for dyeing and printing of colorful dresses, bed sheets, curtains, dress material and variety of other textiles. Sanganer is the center for block and screen printed cotton cloth. There are at present, about 125 hand block printing units in Sanganer. Sanganer was renowned for its small decorative and delicate floral patterns, which was printed on fine cotton and silk.

Aapno Store brings you a wide range of fabrics which include bed sheets, quilts, kurtis, dress materials and much more. Aapno Store has handpicked this collection directly from the manufacturing units in Sanganer.

The fascinating range of block-printed fabric in bold colors may be further embellished by embroidery. The sanganeri block prints usually consist of floral motif. Basic colors are scarlet, black and brown. But now, with increasing technology and use of synthetic dyes, unusual combinations of scarlet and pink, purple and orange, turquoise and green gaining market demand. The sanganer prints are always on a white background famous for its artistry and intricacy of design.

Check out this fascinating collection of Sanganeri prints only at Aapno Store.

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Diwali Festival. Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, "Dhan" stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.

When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

According to another popular legend, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Dhanavantri (the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans ir devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.

In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.