'Mela Phulkari' a textile exhibition by Concept 1469 & Art Historian and Cultural Theorist Dr. Alka Pande at Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road > 10am to 8pm on 11th to 24th April 2014


Time : 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Entry : Free

Place : Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003
Parking : Gate No. 1, 2 & 3 (Cars), Gate No. 2 (Bikes & Bicycles)
Venue Info : Events | About | Map | Nearest Metro Stations :
'Jor Bagh(Yellow Line)Exit Gate-1' - Walk Direction
'Khan Market(Violet Line)'
Area : Lodhi Road Area Events

Event Description : Mela Phulkari - an exhibition by Concept 1469 and Art Historian and Cultural Theorist Dr. Alka Pande.

Mela Phulkari: An ode to Punjab

Concept 1469 and art historian and cultural theorist Alka Pande present the ‘Mela Phulkari’. A perfect soiree to clink tall lassi glasses while lounging on a coir manja, this fest will capture the essence of Punjab in its truest forms. From bringing in the frontier delicacies to phulkari-fied accessories amid live dhol beats, this is the hottest event happening in the city.

Highlight: Reviving the art and culture of Punjab

Concept 1469 and Art Historian Dr.Alka Pande are coming together to celebrate the spirit of Punjab, in the ‘Mela Phulkari’. The grand fest will be held from April 11 till April 24, at the Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event with free entry starts for all at a beautiful time when the chill is bidding adieu and sunny days are beginning to smile.

Phulkari, the popular embroidery technique of Punjab is not only the well-appreciated textile craft, but also a happy blend of colours and culture. As the name suggests, the ‘Mela Phulkari’ is aimed at reviving this art and bringing in a fresh whiff of all pretty and popular things from Punjab. It’s a platform where on display are colourfulpakhis (hand fans), madanis (butter churner) tilla jutis (footwear), Manja (village cots),parandis (the festive hair accessory) and not to forget the rich textiles and embroideries.

The feast for the eyes will pave way for ears too. Visitors will be greeted by traditional musical instruments like sarangi, nagada,dilruba and dhad as well. Clearly the concept is aimed at serenading urban Delhites and pampering their senses. The event will see a revival of art, craft and culture in the feistiest form.

1469 and Dr. Alka Pande will  be exhibiting over 150 year old phulkaris, some of which belongs to the brand, while a few have been borrowed from the personal collections of royal families for public viewing.

Mr. Harinder Singh, the Creative Head behind 1469, felt that the floral art or phulkari, is slowly vanishing from the place of its origin. He gets nostalgic recalling days when marriage ceremonies would be incomplete without the ornate phulkari work. It was customary for all married women to wear their choicest phulkari dupattas for all auspicious occasions. Infact the intricate work could also be seen in their batuas or pouches. It is in a bid to bring back the good old gorgeous days that Mr Singh decided to organize this elaborate fest.

Mr Singh says that the exhibition will let one peek into Punjab through wide-angle lens. “From agriculture to the handmade, from the interiors of a Punjabi household to the bylanes of the glorious city, and from the literary to the musical traditions, all objects on display will give an insight into the rich Punjabi heritage,” he adds.


Interestingly Alka Pande, who is a consultant, arts advisor and curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the IHC, feels that the ‘Mela Phulkari’ is the iconic image of the cultural identity of the state. Dr. Pande has been successfully curating several significant and perceptive exhibitions in India and overseas.

The novel concept not only brings economic independence to the women-power
but also provides financial aid to the widows who are victims of farmer suicides in Punjab. 1469 is actively developing centres in various belts of the city to promote and popularize the art of phulkari.

‘Phulkari Mela’ is not a profit-making extravaganza. It’s a cause that will touch the chords of people in the city. Phulkari is a metaphor not just as a textile on which the women of Punjab embroider their dreams and their lives but a leitmotif that represents the complex web with which the crafts and culture of the land are enmeshed. The fest is free for all, after all Punjabis are known for their largesse.

Related Events : Exhibitions
'Mela Phulkari' a textile exhibition by Concept 1469 & Art Historian and Cultural Theorist Dr. Alka Pande at Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road > 10am to 8pm on 11th to 24th April 2014 'Mela Phulkari' a textile exhibition by Concept 1469 & Art Historian and Cultural Theorist Dr. Alka Pande at Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road > 10am to 8pm on 11th to 24th April 2014 Reviewed by Delhi Events on Thursday, April 24, 2014 Rating: 5

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