ARTICLE
Suber Phulkari
A type of phulkari worn by Punjabi brides during their wedding ceremonies, the suber phulkari is an embroidered odhani that is used as a veil by a Hindu or Sikh bride as she takes the ritual pheras, or circumambulations, with the groom.
Along with other phulkaris, such as the chope, the suber is a key garment in Punjabi weddings and is traditionally embroidered by the bride’s maternal grandmother. Suber phulkaris are embroidered with yellow thread on a red base cloth, which signifies fertility. Their distinguishing feature is the presence of five eight-petalled lotus motifs — one in each corner and one in the centre.
Suber phulkaris continue to be produced by families in Punjab today.
Bibliography
Jayaram, Smita. “The Fading Art of Phulkari.” J’AIPUR Journal, July 18, 2018. https://www.jai-pur.com/journal_entry/the-fading-art-of-phulkari/.
Lal, Krishna. Phulkari: From the Realm of Women’s Creativity: A Tradition of Handmade Embroidery of Punjab and Haryana: Selected Pieces from the Archives of IGNCA. New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, 2013.
Mason, Darielle, and Cristin McKnight Sethi. Phulkari: The Embroidered Textiles of Punjab from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2017.
Ranjan, Aditi, and M. P. Ranjan. Handmade in India: Crafts of India. New Delhi: Mapin, 2007.
Sarda, Kritika. “Phulkari: Woven into Tradition.” Live History India, June 16, 2017. https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/forgotten-treasures/phulkari-woven-into-tradition/.
