Aari

Aari

Aari embroidery / Mochi Bharat  is a centuries old, chain stitch tradition practiced by the Mochi community of Kutch and Sindh. Once used to adorn leather footwear for royalty and nobility, the craft later transitioned onto textiles, carrying forward the same precision and richness.

The fine hooked needle used in this technique is called an Aari (or Aar), from which the embroidery derives its name. Worked from beneath the fabric, this delicate tool forms continuous chain stitches that allow for remarkable intricacy. Even with dense detailing, the textile remains soft, and fluid.

We began working with Mochi Bharat in 2008 with a single woman artisan. What once grew to 75 women has, over sixteen years, reduced to about 25 highly skilled artisans across remote villages near the India–Pakistan border.

The process is deeply time intensive. A single garment can take months to complete and achieving its finesse requires years of discipline and practice. As younger generations move toward alternative livelihoods, the number of artisans continues to decline, making the craft increasingly rare.

To own a piece of Aari embroidery / Mochi Bharat today is to value something that is steadily becoming difficult to access. Each piece carries time, skill and the continuity of a shrinking practice. Its survival depends on continued demand and contemporary relevance. We remain committed to ensuring this heritage endures as living work, evolving and wearable, rather than memory alone.