Handcrafted Chamba Shawl with Village Life Embroidery

Anita Bhardwaj

Anita Bhardwaj is a renowned Chamba Rumal craftsperson who hails from the village of Dharyanu in Chamba. Born in 1984, Bhardwaj was introduced to Chamba Rumal at a young age by her grandmother, who was also an expert in the craft. Inspired by her grandmother, Bhardwaj started learning the craft at the age of 13.Early Life and StrugglesBhardwaj's early life was full of struggles. As a young girl, she had to drop out of school due to financial constraints and family responsibilities. However, she didn't let that deter her from pursuing her passion for Chamba Rumal. She continued to hone her skills by practicing on her own and learning from other experts in the field.Journey as a Chamba Rumal ArtistBhardwaj's journey as a Chamba Rumal artist has been long and eventful. She has spent over three decades perfecting her craft and creating stunning pieces of art. Her work has been exhibited in various national and international exhibitions, including the Surajkund Crafts Mela and the National Handloom Expo.National Award WinnerBhardwaj's dedication to her craft has been recognized by the Government of India. In 2016, she was awarded the National Award for Master Crafts Person in the Chamba Rumal category. The award not only recognized Bhardwaj's exceptional skills but also helped in promoting the dying art form.The Art of Chamba RumalChamba Rumal is a unique art form that involves intricate embroidery on a square piece of cloth. The embroidery is done using a fine needle and silk threads of various colors. The motifs used in Chamba Rumal are inspired by nature and mythology. The craft requires a high level of skill and precision, and it can take several months to complete a single piece.Reviving the Dying Art FormChamba Rumal was once a thriving art form, but over time, it started losing its popularity. Bhardwaj is one of the many artists who are working towards reviving this dying art form. She has been actively involved in training young artists and organizing workshops to promote Chamba Rumal.