Textiles of India - colour symbolism in Rajasthan

“The use of colour is widespread in every aspect of attire and ornamentation in Indian tradition. This extensive usage has important cultural, religious, and climatic associations. Each colour embodies complex and significant connotations in that particular time, space and region. It is also derived from India’s ancient dyeing history and techniques. India has rich resources of madder dyeing and it gave to its coloured textiles a maturity of colours that ripened in the Indian sun. Hence any attempt to understand the attire of the people of Rajasthan would be incomplete without an understanding what each colour denoted and the chemistry associated with it.
India colours are filled with emotional content and rich association. They are an important means of conveying moods, seasons, religious values, customs and ceremonial occasions. Rituals and ceremonies are touched by varied hues, each representative of particular traditions. The dyeing tradition in Rajasthan is ancient and it is visible in the many hues and maturity of the colours that are found in the attire of its people..”

The article continues to talk about the various colours and shades and their symbolic meanings. It is reproduced courtesy of COSTUME, TEXTILES AND JEWELLERY OF INDIA - Traditions in Rajasthan by Vandana Bhandrari, Mercury Books, and available on SPECIAL OFFER to readers of Yoga & Health magazine. Please see page 29 of the March 2007 issue for details.