Pipili applique work

The village of Pipili is well known for its appliqué work. Appliqué comes from the French word appliquer,^[1] meaning "to put on". There are two variants to this technique: appliqué, where a fabric shape is sewn over a base layer, and reverse applique, wherein two layers of fabric are laid down, and a shape is subsequently cut out from the upper layer, exposing the lower layer, before both are stitched together.^[2] It is one of the product who have got Geographical Indication (GI) by govt of India (Application No. 86 and 108).

History

The Pipli Applique work owes its origin to Lord Jagannath culture during 12th century.^[3] Earlier applique umbrellas and canopies were prepared by gajapatis for the annual Jagannath's Ratha Jatra.

Use

Nowadays its usage is more in household, decorative and festival products. The applique items are mainly used during rituals/jatras of the deities.

The colourful applique cloth covers of the three rathas of the deities during Rath Jatra. Apart from different in colour The basic design of all three is similar. Applique work is also used in making pillows,seats and ritual dresses for the deities.

Designing

The base cloth includes water proof material for umbrellas, velvet for tents, cotton, and threads.^[4]

The mythical figures are taken for work. peacock, ducks, parrot, trees, elephant, creepers, flowers like jasmine, lotus, Sun, half-moon, and Rahu (a mythical demon once who swallowed up the sun).

The Craft involves embroidering and stitching. For attaching the pieces of cloth articians use straight stitch, satin stitch, blind stitch, or buttonhole stitch. Sometimes they also make mirror work and many decorative stitches.

Pipili village

Pipili is a small town, situated about 40 kilometers from Puri, Odisha. The income of this town is essentially dependent on the business of its handicrafts of which the applique works are the main source. Nowadays, Pipli is globally known as the destination of applique and is where many workers and workshops continue to practice the technique, creating both traditional and contemporary items.^[5]

Limca Book of Records

Pipili has an entry in the 2004 Limca Book of Records, for the world's largest thematic applique work.^[6] The 54-metre (177 ft) long work is filled with depictions of India's struggle for independence.^[7]

References

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