A dynamic design studio based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat; Morii was born in 2019, out of an ever-growing reverence for Indian craft and a taste for the contemporary. Morii is an amalgamation, a union of two, past and future. (Traditional and Contemporary/ community and creation/ Intuitivity and Structure/ Mindfulness and Experimentation ….. )
It is an artistic interpretation of age-old legacies. An erudite conversation in a language fading away. A manifestation of global sensibilities rooted in Indian traditions.
Every creation of Morii is formed out of a slow, meditative process and anchored in the strength of an unwavering relationship with their makers.
Deeply ingrained in the craft itself, the aesthetic language of Morii is a result of a deep dive into the ancient artisanal practices of India. Through a thorough and scrupulous understanding of the textile technique, a visual language that follows the traditional craft but takes it beyond the timeworn boundaries. The result is a translation.
This newer language is then explored in workshops with the artisans, who over time go on to innovate the technique through their understanding and expertise. In these experiments, they find their most treasured directions, and through this process of co-creation, unearth their most celebrated results.
WORK
Mahasiddha, 2021
59” x 42”
Mahasiddhas" are revered individuals who have achieved remarkable spiritual realization and mastery. In a similar vein, when an artisan diligently embroiders stitches onto fabric, they embark on a spiritual journey of their own.
This artwork serves as a poignant reflection of the Rabari women and their nomadic journey, as they meticulously create the Kan stitch repeatedly, ultimately attaining perfection
For this artwork, we have collaborated with Hansu Ben of the Rabari community at Bocha Village of Kutch, employing a rabari Hand Embroidery on Patchwork of discarded waste natural dyed cotton fabric.
The Rabari (Rebari) are a nomadic group primarily residing in the semi-desert regions of Kutch in Gujarat and Rajasthan, located in Northwest India. They migrated to this area from Sindh (now in Pakistan) approximately 400 years ago. The Rabari possess fascinating tales regarding their origin, ranging from connections with Lord Shiva to Rajputs venturing beyond their territories. The term "Rabari" or "Rahabari" translates to someone who lives outside or ventures off the beaten path. Rabari women are renowned for their exceptional embroidery skills, which are handed down from mothers to daughters, often involving several years of embroidering clothes for their dowries.