Quilts of India: Timeless Textiles

Quilts of India: Timeless Textiles is the first extensive survey of Indian quilts compiled in India or abroad. It identifies and explores the historic and contemporary context of quilt making, allowing the reader to share in the contextual relationship between this art and Indian society. Over 500 photographs, captured in rural villages, museums and urban settings, present the richness of this pervasive textile tradition. From the simplest utility quilt to the most elaborate Indo-Portuguese coverlet, the book details the diverse designs, varied techniques and multiple uses of the twenty-five unique quilting genres discovered by the author during his four years of research. Indian quilters are part of a living tradition that dates back 4,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization. The spirit of their lives is recounted in fascinating stories and captivating portraits. The language of their quilts articulates the symbols and motifs familiar to these quilters and their communities. Whether made for use in the home, to signify religious asceticism, or to be given as gifts, the quilts are infused with spiritual significance and folk meaning. The eclectic imagery not only draws upon a host of classic themes but also upon the objects and events of everyday life. This pioneering book raises from obscurity the remarkable, yet largely overlooked, quilts of India as an important class of Indian textiles. Written for a general audience as well as the most ardent professional, the book provides an intimate look into the fabric of Indian life through quilt making.