THERE are very few activities that can give the same degree of pleasure and satisfaction as embroidery. In the field of ornamentation, embroidery alone can perhaps match the splendour of jewellery. Embroidery helps one express one’s interest and skill in design and colour.

Around the world, the inborn desire of all living beings is beautification and decoration. Life’s most satisfying experiences is the excitement of creative accomplishment through different means — painting, carving or embroidery. The colourful piece of art reflects artists personal taste and it is something that has been surviving and thriving for ages. Embroidery is the embellishment of any material with designs or patterns done with needles. That is why the Roman’s called it "needle painting." It is a kind of magic that transforms nothing into something, fills the blankness with substance, and emptiness with meaning. It helps in introducing grace and elegance into ordinary objects of daily use through colour and form.

Embroidery has a rich tradition in India. It dates back to prehistoric times. The bronze needles excavated at Mohenjodaro were most probably used for embroidery.

It is said that embroidery began when the prehistoric man joined leaves together with flowers for decorating the human body, the walls and gates of his habitation and his surroundings. Needle work in the most primitive times was used for joining pieces of cloth and when this led to a perception of its ornamental possibilities, the beautiful art of embroidery came into existence. It is said to have originated around 3000 B.C. This shows that the Indian embroidery has its origin in the Vedic times. Needle work heritage can be classified in four categories — ancient embroidery, the English tradition, early embroidery in America and embroidery in the 20th century. Today, there is an ever-increasing demand for unusual and well-designed needle work patterns.

The fall of the Mughal empire resulted in complete dislocation of the tradition. But today it is being patronised again by several countries, including India, and is back in fashion.