The embroidery of Gujarat is remarkable and has its strong features and unique style that makes it distinct. Embroidery is done mainly in the area of Kutch. A princely state set in the northwestern part of India; Kutch has managed admirably to preserve the culture of both its court and nomadic peoples. The king who ruled this region during the middle of the 18th century, known as Maharao Lakhpatji, had a very artistic bent himself. He hired one very fine craftsman of the time known as Ramsingh, who at that time had traveled and lived in Europe for a stretch of a decade. This fine artist designed and erected many structures with a European overtone. The most classic blend is his masterpiece Aaina Mahal or the mirror palace inside the palace of Kutch. The special shawls of this region with embroidery are very famous because of their bright look that complements a winter day. The embroidery is never very dense but the colours are combined in such a manner that the brightness of body colours of the shawls are always enhanced. With addition of a little mirror work, the shawls look even prettier. The Rabari tribe of Kutch is an expert in such embroidery. The patterns of any embroidery are first sketched in mud with needles and then a final sketching is done in double running stitch. Embroidery besides an art, is an expression of culture for these people. Embroideries communicate self and status, and they create bonds within society. In a marriage, the embroidery that a girl brings with her has a very important part to play in forming an opinion about her father's status. There are various embroidery types used here. The most rich and difficult is the paako stitch. This is a tight square chain and double buttonhole embroidery often with a black slanted stitch outlining. This name Paako, literally means bold. Muko, is the name given to the metal work and mirror embroidery.
