"Parsis have embroidery in their genes. They have an eye for detail and intricacy. Right from the jhabala we put on a baby at its birth to the shawls we wear at Navjyot to the Gara sarees we wear in our marriages, embroidery has been traditionally a part of all our festivities," says Perveez Agarwal
"Parsis have embroidery in their genes. They have an eye for detail and intricacy. Right from the jhabala we put on a baby at its birth to the shawls we wear at Navjyot to the Gara sarees we wear in our marriages, embroidery has been traditionally a part of all our festivities," says Perveez Agarwal. This proud Parsi behind My Beautiful Embroideries, which will showcase its collection of Gara-inspired sarees, skirts, stoles, jackets and scarves at the DBS Galleria in Fort till tomorrow, talks to CS at needlepoint: 
WHO: Perveez Agarwal
WHAT: Talking about her love for embroidery
WHERE: At her residence
All her handicraft
Did you know that it was the pioneer Parsis of this city who first started this city's shipping trade with the Chinese? That's how all that Chinese embroidery and porcelain came to Mumbai and that's why Gara-work is so inspired by Chinese motifs. I learnt embroidery from my grandmother and then in school under the tutelage of French nuns. Everytime there was a marriage in the family, there would be a flurry of saree orders. Although people think embroidery is a little old-fashioned, I think some of our ancient Persian and Chinese designs are timeless.
What you shall sew...u00a0u00a0
During the '92 riots, we witnessed a lot of hunted Muslims fleeing their tenements near our area. We even helped some of them reach the railway station so they could go back to their villages. Surprisingly, months later, a man we had helped dropped home to thank me with an embroidered cushion and asked me for employment. Though uneducated, his embroidery was very good. So I asked him to replicate some patterns on my mum's old sarees. He returned with exact replicas!
Then some of my friends abroad saw these designs on me and and started placing their orders. Gradually, with my business expanding, the orders also increased. My short stint as a ramp model in the 60s gave me a sense of fashion and style, which has helped me in this business. Like Grandma Moses, who started painting in her 80s, I also took up a third career this late in life and I am proud to say that the most influential people in Mumbai wear my designs.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Cross-stitch
It's strange that it is again religion that brings me to organise this exhibition today. The 26/11 attacks affected tourism business in our city which in turn threatened the livelihoods of these poor rural karigars. So I decided to organise this exhibition. It's satisfying to know that I'm creating employment for these gifted craftsmen and helping to keep the art of embroidery alive in India.
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