Hyderabad: A hands-on embroidery workshop at Dhi Contemporary in Madhapur offered participants an opportunity to explore personal memories, identity and migration through textile art as part of Hyderabad Art Week 2026.
Titled Mapping with Embroidery, the workshop brought together artists Anindita Chakraborty and Sharmistha Kar to introduce participants to Bunka punch needle embroidery and its potential as a medium for storytelling.
The session combined traditional craft techniques with personal expression, encouraging participants to translate meaningful experiences and memories into visual forms using thread and fabric.
Chakraborty, an artist, educator and researcher originally from Tripura and based in Montreal, explores themes of memory and displacement through a practice that often incorporates natural materials. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Hyderabad, and her work has been exhibited in India and internationally.
Kar, an artist and doctoral candidate at Concordia University, works across hand and machine embroidery, natural dyeing and digital weaving. Her practice draws on textile traditions such as Kantha, Rafu and Bunka, connecting traditional methods with contemporary artistic research.
During the workshop, Kar discussed how everyday objects, personal experiences and nostalgia influence her Bunka embroidery creations. Participants were then invited to select a memory or experience and represent it through stitching.
Learning to use the punch needle required some initial practice, but the activity gradually developed into a focused and collaborative creative experience. Participants worked on individual designs, with subjects ranging from familiar household objects and nostalgic hometown routes to floral patterns.
With guidance from the facilitators, the emphasis remained on individual interpretation and storytelling rather than technical perfection. The finished pieces reflected the different memories and experiences participants chose to express through textile art.
The workshop demonstrated how embroidery can extend beyond decorative craft to become a medium for documenting personal histories and exploring cultural connections.
Hyderabad Art Week 2026 Brings Galleries and Artists Together
The workshop was part of Hyderabad Art Week 2026, scheduled from October 26 to November 1. The initiative brings together galleries, cultural institutions and creative spaces across the city through exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions and open studios.
Participating venues include Dhi Contemporary, Kalakriti Art Gallery, Kadari Art Gallery and Srishti Art Gallery, among other cultural spaces.
The week-long programme aims to make art more accessible and encourage public participation by creating opportunities for residents and visitors to engage directly with artists and their work.
Through interactive sessions such as Mapping with Embroidery, Hyderabad Art Week highlights the role of creative practice in connecting personal experiences, cultural traditions and contemporary art.
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