#dankekakaam

[sayeshasonali]

Sayesha : This method was earlier also known as korpatti-ka-kaam. This decorative technique is usually worked on fabrics like satin, chiffon or silk fabric. The fabric is stretched tightly on a wooden frame before it is embroidered and the craftsman sits on the floor. The designs are drawn using zinc powder on the fabric then , Danka pieces are spread on the fabric as required by the design. The danka is pierced with a sharp needle, bringing out the thread through the fabric. About three to five strands of kasab (gold or silver wire) are kept over each danka and couched down along its edges. It is secured with eight stitches in the shape of a knot( it can be exceeded to 10 sometimes ). Two stitches go into the back and the other two at each corner and two on the front. About three to five strands of 'kasab' (gold or silver wire) are placed over each danka along its edges. It is secured with eight stitches in the shape of a knot - two at the back, one in each corner and two in the front.The most popular motifs used in danka work are inspired by nature - the sun, the moon as well as the paisley design in a stylised form. Round and flat metal braids about one quarter of a centimetre in width that are used to highlight the design. Additional stitches used include the chain stitch, satin stitch for the design filling, while stem and running stitches are for lighter work.

[sayeshasonali]

Sayesha : Danke ka kaam is a specialty in terms of metal embroidery. This craft is particularly distinguished by the use of a small, metallic square around which the zardozi work is usually done. The danka is a small square plate, which is variable in size but is not bigger than 1.5 cm. Although the danka was originally made from pure gold, silver plated with gold, is usually used these days. Danka is made of well-finished, polished thin silver sheets of 98% purity are electroplated with gold in strips of 30 cm. by 2.5 cm -as told by them These are then washed in plain water and polished once again with excellent granular sand. The strip is then cut into 1.25 cm. squares. The cost of the ‘Danke-ka-kaam’ is calculated according to its weight. The technique of doing ‘danke-ka-kaam’ is not an easy task, that is why it is said as a ‘rare piece of art’. Danke Ka kaam, is an unusual and unique textile surface ornamentation technique that is practised in Udaipur, in the Mewar region of Rajasthan. Using small diamond shaped concave relief formed cut pieces of sheet metals that are hand-stitched on to fabrics with zari yarn, it is further complemented by Zardozi embroidery that is worked around it. Earlier only real gold, and silver sheet metal was used to make the Danka, while gold and siver-plated metals are now in use. Embroidered on luxurious textiles like silk and velvet the embroidery has an opulent four-D look with the added cache of the concave shape glinting when it catches the light. Danka builds up motifs like paisleys, flowers and peacocks, borders, vines and scrolls to create sumptuous textile garments. A languishing craft practice Danka embroidery is practiced only by the *Bohra Muslim *community GM motiwala bohra is one younger generation still working on this craft practiced by him from 80 years . The community themselves do not throw any clear light on the origins of this craft and as to whether it was already being practiced at that time or before or if it travelled to the subcontinent during their migration here cannot be clearly established because of lack of any written or oral history about the craft.

[sayeshasonali]

Sayesha : ‘Danke-ka-kaam’ is a kind of metal embroidery in Rajasthan that is a decorative feature in Rajasthani fabrics. It’s a 400-year old embroidery craft in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is done popularly on silk satin and velvet cloth ( 600 to 625 meters ) Its is not directly touched to skin *astar* is used under it of cotton voile , so that the embroidery does not stretch and is aligned to the fabriv Designs made from zari thread are know as kasaab or kalabood Odhni - dupatta is know as maqzi thus it takes three days for an artisan to create it This is a customised work done only on order Mostly worn by rajputs .