Tradition unfolds
The act of handing down a phulkari from mother to daughter is a gesture that transcends generations. It is a poignant moment filled with emotions, love, and memories. The intricate embroidery on the phulkari holds stories of the past, of struggles, joy, and resilience. It is a tangible connection to the women who came before, a reminder of their strength and their spirit.
However, as time passes and traditions evolve, this simple act of passing down a phulkari becomes bittersweet. The younger generation may not always understand the significance of the gift or appreciate the effort and love that went into creating it. In a world where fast fashion and mass-produced items reign supreme, the value of handmade, traditional crafts like phulkari can be overlooked or forgotten.
The sad event occurs when the daughter, in her haste to embrace modernity and Western influences, dismisses or disregards the phulkari gifted by her mother. The lack of appreciation for this heirloom, this piece of history and culture, can be devastating for the mother who was hoping to pass on a beloved tradition to her daughter.
It is a reminder of the disconnect between generations, the erosion of cultural heritage, and the loss of traditions that are so deeply rooted in our identities. It is a call for us, as daughters and mothers, to cherish and honor the gifts and traditions passed down to us, to recognize their value and significance, and to carry them forward with pride and respect.
The sad event of a mother giving a phulkari to her daughter serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations with love and pride. It is a plea to hold on to our traditions, to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry of our ancestors, and to keep their memory alive through the treasures they have left behind.
In our busy world, the groups of women gathering together to weave or embroider have dwindled. The spinning wheels have gone silent and collecting dust in some dark corner of a storage space. We at Phulkari-Blankets want to recapture that moment and bring back the designs of Phulkari, redesigned digitally and also showcase some new ones.
