There’s a popular joke that says that the only culture of Haryana is “agriculture”! In a sense, it is the truth because the state is predominantly agrarian and their folklore, folk songs and celebrations revolve around sowing and reaping and the coming and going of seasons. Women in Haryana traditionally practice the craft of needlework on bedspreads, garments and other textile products. The most famous patterns have the phulkari, or floral motifs. Bright coloured silk threads are used to create designs on deeper tones of cotton fabric. Haryana also has the craft tradition of hand woven dhurries (cotton floor spreads). Mostly, they are woven in stripes, chequer board and square patterns, but also have floral, bird and animal motifs. Leather craft, especially the “juttis” or soft leather shoes, is a unique product from Haryana. These light slip-ons used to be embroidered in gold and silver thread, but are now embellished with coloured threads.
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