Category: INDIAN HERITAGE TEXTILE
Country: India
Region: Asia Pacific
‘Chintz’ which has its roots in the Indian fabric ‘cheent’ is a product heritage Indian hand painting and dyeing. This rare handloom finds its lineage in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan and has taken over the European sartorial universe.
By Shreya Choudhuri
Updated - 2023-08-28, 11:09 IST
India’s culture, art and handlooms have woven threads of innovation and creativity and made a true mark on the cultural map of the world and it has left an indelible mark in history. Amidst a bunch of the most iconic legacies India holds within its folds is the story of ‘cheent’ which is an ancient Indian textile handicraft technique that gave birth to the world’s first ever sartorial trend that took over the world of global fashion.
Exploring The Roots Of ‘Cheent’: A Walk Through The Bygone Era Of Time & Handicraft Textile
‘Cheent’ which is also known as ‘chintz’ in the anglicized European part of the world has emerged from the ancient Indian handicraft techniques of hand painting and resist dyeing that was practiced in the textile hubs across Indian subcontinent including the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The iconic handicraft produced one of a kind cotton textiles that were laden with a vibrant range of colours that only grew stronger post a wash or two.
The masterpiece handicrafts from India were exported across the globe and grabbed eyeballs where they went in Europe. Thus, came the origin of the European adaptation and coining of the term ‘chintz’ of the signature Indian fabric known in the Hindi language as ‘cheent’ which literally meant a spotted cloth.
The Rise Of ‘Cheent’ In The Global Landscape
It is historically proven and documented that the Indian ‘cheent’ was dubbed as the world’s first global fashion phenomenon. This is testimonial to the brilliance of the Indian art and cultural richness that transcended borders and cultural barriers and gained an influence that united hearts across the globe.
‘Cheent’ : A Fabric That Changed History
But it isn’t just the sartorial world that ‘cheent’ has left its indelible mark on. The classic fabric from the Indian landmass became a huge hit in the European and international markets with Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India in the year 1498. This led to the discovery of the Indian cottons that took the trading universe by storm.
The Legacy of ‘Cheent’ Lives On Feat. Sonam Kapoor In Anamika Khanna
The one of a kind legacy that ‘cheent’ created lives on and tells the story of adaptation and cultural exchange and collaboration. Many leading Indian designers have paid homage to the art form. Case in point, Anamika Khanna dressed Sonam Kapoor in a ‘cheent’ off shoulder gown for the coronation concert held for King Charles III which made headlines like never before.
Courtesy: Herzindagi.com
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