The photographs in this exhibition bear witness to the skills that are fading away or are being rendered obscure: the art of mukaish wrought by its artisans, the badlas, who perform this craft by inserting metallic wires of gold and silver into the fabric, eventually twisting it to create metallic embroidery. This was once a much sought after embellishment for garments and saris, its delicacy a testament to the badla's experienced hand. You can see despair in their ageing faces; still the pictures reflect a determination and refusal to give up.

 

The photographs in this exhibition bear witness to the skills that are fading away or are being rendered obscure: the art of mukaish wrought by its artisans, the badlas, Life as Beauty: Through the Eyes of the Everyday Artists FRAMING THE LIVING TRADITIONS 6 who perform this craft by inserting metallic wires of gold and silver into the fabric, eventually twisting it to create metallic embroidery. This was once a much sought after embellishment for garments and saris, its delicacy a testament to the badla’s experienced hand. You can see despair in their ageing faces; still the pictures reflect a determination and refusal to give up.