Phulkari as Heritage: Exploring Female Awareness of Traditional Needlework

The rich and diverse heritage of Indian culture finds expressive embodiment not only in its music, dance, and rituals but alsoin its intricate embroidery traditions. These embroidery patterns—each regionally distinct and historicallyembedded—serve as living symbols of cultural identity, gendered labor, and aesthetic expression. This study was designed toassess the level of awareness and cultural familiarity regarding traditional embroidery styles among female participantsfrom the states of Punjab and Haryana, two regions with particularly vibrant needlework legacies.A structured survey methodology was employed to collect quantitative data from a stratified sample of women belonging tovarious age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. The instrument included questions aimed at evaluating participants'recognition, understanding, and cultural association with prominent embroidery.The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation to identify patterns of awareness acrossdemographics. The results revealed that respondents across all age categories exhibited a moderate to high level ofawareness regarding traditional embroidery forms. Notably, Phulkari emerged as the most widely recognized and culturallyresonant embroidery type among participants, signifying its enduring popularity and strong regional identity, particularlyin Punjab. These findings underscore the persistent relevance of traditional textile arts among contemporary women, whilealso highlighting the potential for cultural preservation and revival through targeted educational and promotionalinitiatives.