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Cultural Context

ceremonial

Iconographic Meaning

The colour red symbolizes blood and life. It is associated with weddings and is always included in dowry garments. There are references to tie-dyed cloth as symbolic of fidelity in Sindhi folk poetry.

Specific Techniques

Bandhani means “to tie.” Before dyeing, the textile is printed with the design using a wooden block and a temporary dye that washes out. A continuous string, which has been dipped in wax, is used to firmly tie all the pattern elements on the piece before dyeing. After dyeing and washing, the string is removed.

History Of Use

To be worn with a matching skirt (1472/6 a) and a backless blouse (choli or kancheeri), along with ivory or white plastic bracelets covering the upper and lower arms, as wedding attire by brides who are members of a particular caste. Subtle differences in design, colour and pattern occur among different villages. A women purchases the skirt and veil from a printer for her daughter’s wedding.

Description

Woman’s dark red and black, tie-dyed, cotton veil; decorated with off-white tie-dyed dots that form geometric, linear and curvilinear patterns. In the centre is a round black medallion within a square, dark red panel; there are black borders on all four sides. The veil is constructed from two nearly-identical sections that are seamed together down the centre with machine stitching.