The beauty preserved in our grandmothers’ bundles

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Category: News

Published on Thursday, 24 August 2017 17:57

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One of the main types of folk art is embroidery, which is an art women work hard and willingly on it. Thanks to this art, imaginative drawings were created with colored threads on the plain, the beauty of a thousand shades of nature is reflected. That is why they call the embroidery “fibrous painting”. As it yes in the fine art, the embroidery also has different types and techniques. Portraits, landscapes, still life and other paintings, ornamental works were created by various artistic means. The wisdom of this art is in its mysterious, undiscovered pages.

Recently, I visited aunt Fatma , who lived in the neighborhood. The hostess made so much pressure to sit at the tea table. In the main time, the tablecloth on the table attracted my attention. I could not take my eyes from the tablecloth. Seeing this, aunt Fatma asked that why I fixed my eyes on the tablecloth. She said that this tablecloth is the memory of her late grandmother to her mother: “My mother gave me this elegant cover to keep as a memory. I use this tablecloth when I have dear guests”.

My admiration for this delicate work made me go to the cultural institution where   artistic director of the Gulustan village culture house Aida Ibrahimova works,   operating under the Culture and Tourism Department of the Julfa Region. I knew that Aida khanim has a special place among the women engaged in this art. We met and talked:

-Aida khanim, every art has its own way. How the history and   character of the development stage of society is reflected on the embroidery, the product of folk creativity?

- In Azerbaijan’s everyday life, there were some types of embroidery techniques such as gold thread, plain, patterned embroidery, takalduz, “gushgozu” (bird’s eye) and   metal-beaded embroidery, scale-embroidery, cakhma (it is also called zaranduz), filling embroidery types. These elegant works reflect the history and culture of our people.

Today, in many parts of Azerbaijan, the art of embroidery, which goes back to ancient times, is preserved. The handicraftsmen’s works decorate the international exhibitions and museums.

The art of embroidery has been a favorite activity for women over the centuries. Men also were engaged in takalduz embroidery. These beautiful examples, which were considered to be the most valuable things of its time, passed through generations and preserved till today. Embroidery is a kind of art that had been used by both ordinary people and women who have richer levels. The art of embroidery requires accurate painting skill and high sensation for colors. Thread and materials used should be given serious attention. The reason of interest in this art is the attention and care of our state to creative people. For this, I am trying to keep our history, our culture in paintings, clothes and household items. I am always in search in order to perfect the art techniques. The outlook of Nakhchivan women and the high aesthetic taste have created conditions for the perfect work of this art. In the kulachas used by women gold thread was preferred.

There are many kinds of embroidery. The embroidery elements should be properly selected in the “Gush gozu” and other embroideries. In my own works, I use patterns on our world-famous monuments in  Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic such as Momine Khatun, Gulustan Tomb, and so on.

Sketches are made in every work, colors are chosen correctly, embroidery elements are used. In one of my work, I used rock paintings in Gamigaya.

I also participate in folk days held in the autonomous republic. My work is highly appreciated by our state. Thus, by the order of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of  Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, I was awarded a badge “For Labor”.

-In your creativity, you prefer buta ( almond shaped pattern)embroidery element most. What is the purpose here?

- Buta pattern element means fire. It is the symbol of our country. I have a work called “Land of Fire”. Color options and a pair of bird were used. This pattern has been used in our embroideries and carpets. Buta occupies a special place in the works of carpet artist Latif Karimov. It should be noted that this pattern can not be used everywhere. Kusulu buta, sevgili (beloved) buta, each of them has its own peculiarities.

I am the head of the “Skilled hands” circle at the Children’s and Youth Creativity Center in Julfa Region. I teach children the secrets of this art. I try to make children spend their leisure time efficiently. And I also tell them that the famous poets and educators of XIX century were interested in this art too. For example, the poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, naturalist Hasan bay Zardabi, painter, poet and musicologist Mirmohsin Navvab and others. The works of Khurshidbanu Natavan were equated to the works of famous Eastern artists - Manu and Behzad.

It should be noted that those who are engaged in this art spend their time efficiently, and our values and traditions are preserved. The embroidery, one of the world’s most fascinating art forms, is a precious heritage transmitted from our grandmothers as a fine tradition. Each of us must work hard to preserve, protect, and transfer this art to future generations. It is possible to preserve the traditions of our embroidery art, which   dated for hundreds of years, by means of professional owners engaged in this business. I hope that our national values will be lived through these artifacts and will be presents for future generations.

Adila Safarova

Chief editor of Nakhchivan State Television

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