Dil Bagh Bagh- Garden Gatherings

Our embroidery gatherings in public parks -‘Dil Bagh Bagh’ loosely translates as “the heart is so happy that it has become a blooming garden. Through these gatherings, we share the joy of stitching amidst nature with others and also bring embroidery out from the confines of the domestic sphere, making it a more public and visible activity.

The first time we gathered in a garden to stitch was in the winters of 2023 when Hansika Sharma, a textile artist from Ahmedabad visited Rafooghar to take a month long module on mark making and mental health.

The experience of spending time stitching in nature, became a source of collective joy especially in the absence of greenery and public parks in the neighbourhoods the women come from. One participant described her joy as “Dil bagh bagh ho gaya” (a flowering of the heart).

Pinky - our pahelwan started the session with some kasrat. Children played, selfies were taken, women cracked joked, laughed, made marks , while enjoying garam garam chai with hot hot maggi.

The pleasure of being outdoors, of stitching without domestic interruption, catalysed new forms of sociality. This experience also sparked the idea of conducting workshops in public spaces like parks. It is a way not just to introduce more people to our methodology but also to create opportunities for women to lead or assist in these sessions.

Above: Karsrat with Pinky at a garden gathering, Kalindi Kunj

Above: Dil Bagh Bagh Gathering at Lodhi gardens with Hansika Sharma