FAMOUS THARI EMBROIDERY MOTIFS

The pakkoh and kacho/soof embroideries from Tharparkar, in Sindh’s eastern corner, are among the most compelling in Pakistan, with bold, stylized motifs of dunes, flowers and peacocks drawn from nature.

PEACOCK:

The peacock found all over Tharparkar is the lead motif of its embroidered textiles. Among the Hindu Meghwar community who are professional embroiderers, leather workers, tanners, builders and farmers, the peacock is a metaphor for a bridegroom who comes to claim his bride from her parents. The long narrow scarf, bakano, that he is given by his future mother-in-law for his wedding day has a fanciful design of peacocks among flowers and on top of hills or dunes. The peacock is revered as a noble bird.

The peacock is a motif commonly seen throughout the Sindh region. The symmetry of the bird, colors and decorative details all make it an appealing figure to be applied to embroideries. The peacock often features in embroidered wedding garments as a symbol of fertility and prosperity to the married couples; this is particularly so amongst the Hindu Meghwar community as the peacock is a metaphor for a bridegroom who comes to claim his bride from her parents. The eyes of peacock feathers are also used as a motif in embroideries.