Movie ‘Sui Dhaaga’ promotes Pipili appliqué

| | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

Odisha’s distinct Chandua art (a form of appliqué work) made an appearance in the logo of Anushka Sharma-Varun Dhawan starrer ‘Sui Dhaaga’: Made In India, a couple of weeks ago.

Yash Raj Films (YRF) has now released a video that promotes this indigenous craft from Odisha. As a part of the promotional video series titled ‘Heroes Made In India’, the video features the famed Chandua craft of Pipili and its products.

The local artisans reveal that this applique work is a form of storytelling and borrows its themes from mythological folklores and epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Anushka can be heard saying, “This work is almost like making a painting with just needlework and stitching techniques.”

The video also shares the story of Sharda Parmeswaran, a Bhubaneswar-based designer (originally from Kerela), who has been creating designs on various apparel, apart from lamps, wall hangings, handbags, etc. using applique techniques and participating in international fairs to popularise this embroidery from Pipili.

“When foreign clients and tourists see these handmade products, they want to delve into history and listen to the stories related to the theme,” she said.

Apart from the Pipili Chandua, the logo of the movie portrays the incredible and diversified needlework of as many as 15 kinds from various corners of the country, namely Kashida and Sozni from Kashmir, Rabari and Mochi Bharat from Gujarat, Phool Patti from Uttar Pradesh, Aari, Banjaara and Gota Patti from Rajasthan, handloom work of Assam, Toda of Tamil Nadu, Kantha of West Bengal and Phulkari of Punjab.

In an effort to celebrate the rich and diverse handicrafts of India, the team of Sui Dhaaga at Yash Raj Films (YRF) reached out to local artisans and craftsmen from across the country to create the logo of the film in their unique stitching styles. It took the team six months to plan, research and execute the film’s logo in 15 different styles. The makers hope Sui Dhaaga creates awareness of India’s culture among today’s youths.

The film is about finding love and respect through self-reliance. Its plot is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and takes a leaf out of the Make In India campaign. Directed by Sharat Kataria and produced by Maneesh Sharma, this movie will release on September 28.