A Dupatta Is...

“𝗔 𝗗𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝘀…” is an ode to the chunri or the dupatta commonly worn by people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Marzieh Abbas uses lyrical text to convey that it is much more than fabric, much more than a rectangular piece of cloth, and beyond what can be perceived through the senses, it is an indication of where you come from, it is a piece of art, faith, legacy, and identity.

I loved that Marzieh mentions the Ajrak, Chunri, Phulkari and other types of prints and embroidery found on dupattas. Anu Chouhan’s art doesn’t skip a beat in showcasing each dupatta. A spread with karigars (artisans) working on the “aari” form of embroidery and block printing, side by side (with spare blocks on the shelf) caught my attention. It is in these details that a picture book elevates itself to a captivating art form and enters the hall of fame!

Perfect for pairing it with “𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘺’𝘴 𝘒𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow.