Stepping Up

Meanwhile,attempts are being made to ensure the survival of phulkari. In Adaalat Bazaar,select few jutti makers are now incorporating traditional phulkari patterns on footwear. The success is evident from the growing market for the juttis,not just in the domestic circuit,but also overseas. “We have been exporting juttis to the US and more recently even to Mexico. Within the country too,the demand for juttis has not diminished over the years,” says Mohinderjit Singh of the popular Dilkhush Jutti Palace,located in Adaalat Bazaar. One of the pioneers of customised juttis,designed to match with lehengas,the store now has a collection that incorporates phulkari designs. “Phulkari is the pride of Patiala and we are doing our bit to keep the traditional embroidery alive,” says Singh. He adds,“Trends are ever-changing and though we have rolled out collections using traditional Punjabi embroideries like kasheeda and dabka,the phulkari juttis is a first.”

Adorned with geometric patterns that are an intrinsic part of phulkari designs,the juttis are bright,colourful and priced at Rs 750 onwards for a pair. “It’s the first time I have seen phulkari designs on juttis. They look pretty,” says Canada-based Rupinder Dhaliwal,who was in Patiala to shop for her trousseau.

The encouraging response has also led traditional jutti makers from Patiala to experiment. Swaran Singh,who has been making juttis for 45 years,and is a third generation jutti maker in Adaalat Bazaar,says,“We have been specialising in juttis using dabka and thread work. It’s only recently that we are incorporating phulkari into our designs. The trend seems to be catching on.”