Threads of Connection: A Brief Introduction To My Love of Indian Textiles

Throughout history, people have always moved, from one place to another, across regions and borders, or sometimes just to the next village through marriage. And with them, they carried memories: of home, of belonging, of identity. Often, these memories were stitched into the very garments they wore, motifs passed down through generations, threads woven with meaning, and embroidery that spoke of place, family, and tradition. Each stitch is a quiet echo of where someone came from.

I think that’s why I’ve always been so drawn to Indian textiles. Not just for their beauty (though they are undeniably beautiful), but because of the deep stories they carry within them. Textiles in India are never just fabric, they are reflections of history, movement, craftsmanship, and community.

Unlike many others who fall in love with textiles through the act of making, I’ve never been a creator with my own hands. My love has always been rooted more in the anthropological, the people, the places, and the culture that births these traditions. Textiles, to me, are a natural extension of that passion. They allow me to explore India in a deeper way. Every visit to a workshop or artisan’s home becomes a moment of shared humanity, of learning, of listening.

From the mirrored embroidery of Gujarat’s Rabari women to the subtle resist-dyed Ajrakh prints, every region tells its own story in cloth. And meeting the makers, those who quietly uphold these centuries-old traditions, has opened my eyes to a more meaningful way of travelling. It’s no longer just about seeing, but about connecting.

That’s why textiles mean so much to me. They’re not just decorative arts or cultural artefact's. They are living, breathing expressions of identity. And through them, I’ve been privileged to connect with a side of India that is deeply human, endlessly inspiring, and always welcoming.