The Threads Amma Never Spoke, Yet I Understood
I still remember that quiet afternoon in our small house, the ceiling fan moving slowly like a tired bull in summer fields. Outside, the smell of red soil after a light drizzle filled the air. Amma sat near the window, her saree pallu tucked at her waist, a small piece of cloth stretched between her fingers. No words. Only the soft sound of thread passing through fabric.
I was a child then, restless and curious. I sat beside her, watching. She didn’t call me. She didn’t teach me in the way schools do. But slowly, without speaking, she began to show me a world—one stitch at a time.
That was how I learned cross stitch. Not from instructions, but from silence, patience, and love.
A Craft Rooted in Soil and Memory
In Telangana, crafts are not just skills. They are part of living. Like the way we draw muggu (rangoli) every morning, or how we tie jasmine in our hair during festivals. Cross stitch, though simple in appearance, carries a deep rhythm of rural life.
It is said that women in villages began stitching patterns on cloth to decorate their homes and clothing. Without access to expensive materials, they used what they had—threads, old fabrics, and imagination. Slowly, these small crosses turned into stories. Flowers, birds, temple shapes, and everyday life found their way into cloth.
In Telangana, every stitch feels like it has walked through generations. It carries the warmth of kitchens, the quiet of courtyards, and the laughter of festivals like Bathukamma.
The Making: Slow Like Village Evenings
Cross stitch is not fast work. It moves like time in a village—unhurried, steady, meaningful.
First, the cloth is chosen. Usually simple cotton, soft and familiar. Then comes the needle and thread. Bright colours—reds like sindoor, yellows like turmeric, greens like fresh crops.
Each stitch is a small “X”. One crossing over another. Amma used to make it look so easy. But I remember my early attempts—uneven, tangled, confused. She would gently take the cloth, undo my mistakes, and hand it back. No scolding. Just a quiet push to try again.
Stitch by stitch, patterns appear. It feels like watching crops grow—slowly, but surely.
The Women Behind the Threads
In many Telangana homes, cross stitch is done in the middle of daily life. Between cooking, cleaning, and caring for families, women find time for this quiet art.
Amma never called herself an “artisan.” She would laugh if someone said that. But her hands knew precision, patience, and beauty.
These women wake up before sunrise, finish their chores, and still find time to create something delicate. For them, stitching is not just art—it is peace. A small space where they can breathe.
Many learned from their mothers, just like I did. No books. No classes. Only observation and repetition. Knowledge passed like a secret, from one generation to the next.
Silent Pride, Hidden Struggles
But behind this beauty, there is also struggle.
Many artisans do not earn enough from their work. Middlemen take a big share. Machine-made designs flood the market, faster and cheaper. People often don’t understand the time and effort behind handmade work.
Amma would sometimes sell her stitched pieces, but the money was small. Still, she never stopped. For her, it was never only about income. It was about dignity.
There is a quiet pride in handmade work. Even if the world doesn’t notice, the artisan knows the value.
Government Efforts: Hope with Gaps
There have been efforts by the government to support handcrafts in Telangana. Training programs, exhibitions, and self-help groups have helped some women find markets and recognition.
But the reality is uneven. Not every artisan gets access. Many in small villages are still unaware of these schemes. Some struggle with paperwork, travel, or lack of support.
The intention is there, but the reach is still growing. Like a seed that needs more water.
Why This Craft Still Matters
In today’s fast world, cross stitch feels like a pause. It reminds us to slow down.
This craft is not just about decoration. It is about identity. It carries the culture of Telangana—its colours, its patience, its quiet strength.
It is also sustainable. No machines, no pollution. Just hands, thread, and time.
When we lose such crafts, we don’t just lose products. We lose stories.
When You Hold It, You Feel More Than Cloth
When someone picks up a cross-stitched piece, they may first notice the design. But if they look closely, they will feel something deeper.
Each stitch holds time. Each pattern holds memory.
It is like holding a piece of someone’s life—their effort, their patience, their silent dreams.
For me, every cross stitch reminds me of Amma. Of afternoons filled with quiet learning. Of lessons that were never spoken, yet deeply understood.
A Gentle Reminder
We often admire beauty, but forget the hands that create it.
Cross stitch, like many traditional crafts, survives because of people who quietly continue, without recognition or reward.
If we take a moment to understand their work, to respect their effort, and to value handmade creations, we help keep these traditions alive.
Not by buying alone, but by caring.
Because somewhere, in a small home in Telangana, an Amma is still stitching. Still teaching. Still passing on a legacy—without words.
To know more about this living heritage,
 visit: https://crossstitchtg.com
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https://zarizardosihyderabad.com
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https://handembriderynizamabad.com
https://nirmaltoycrafts.com
Telangana, the youngest state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-famous handicrafts. Its traditional arts include Cheriyal Paintings, Nirmal Toys, hand embroidery (Nagaram, Nizamabad), Bobbin Lace, Banjara Embroidery, Zari–Zardozi, cotton durries, lac bangles, Baithak paintings, Ikat, pearl jewellery, intricate stone carvings, and hand-printed cotton textiles, each deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.
The Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), under the Ministry of Textiles, aims to holistically develop handicraft clusters across India, including Telangana.
Supported by: The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the nodal agency for promoting and developing the Indian handicrafts sector, focused on artisan empowerment, market expansion, and sustainable livelihoods.
Executed by: The Andhra Pradesh Productivity Council (APPC), an autonomous non-profit organization established in 1958 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, implementing the project in Telangana through consultancy, micro-enterprise development, skill development, training, surveys, energy audits, and rural livelihood initiatives.
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