HIMROO AND MASHRU

Suraiya Hasan Bose: 

• Suraiya Hasan Bose was born in 1928. She did a one-year course on textiles at the Oxford University. Later, she returned to Hyderabad and set up the looms and workshop. 
  
  
• A textile revivalist, she has spent a lifetime in single-handedly reviving forgotten weaves like himroo (a Persian brocade weave) and mashru (a silk and cotton weave). 
  
  

Himroo: 

• Himroo is a fabric made of silk and cotton, which is grown locally in Aurangabad. 
  
  
• The word himroo originated from Persian word Hum-ruh which means 'similar'. Himroo uses Persian designs, and is very characteristic and distinctive in appearance. 
  
  
• Himroo is a replication of Kinkhwab, which was woven with pure golden and silver threads in olden days, and was meant for the royal families. 
  
  

Mashru: 

• The Mashru fabric is a vibrant, handwoven mix of Silk and Cotton textiles. The word ‘Mashru’ means ‘permitted’ in Arabic and its Sanskrit variation ‘Misru’ means ‘mixed’. 
  
  
• Mashru has a characteristic fine satin finish, bright contrasting stripes in vibrant colors and striped Ikat weave. 
  
  
• The fabric is mainly manufactured in Patan and Mandvi in Gujarat, India.