Meet an embroiderer who is passing on an ancient Indian tradition to her Canadian neighbours

Drawing upon the rich embroidery heritage of her childhood in Mumbai, Sarita Gujar combines traditional Indian craftsmanship with western embroidery techniques — and is sharing her skills with other embroiderers in Fredericton. 

Gujar's expertise is in shisha embroidery, also known as mirror work. This ancient technique was originally the domain of poor artisans who mimicked the bejewelled fashions of the wealthy.

In time, mirror work has become admired in its own right. 

"It's a different type of culture which we don't see here much. I want to pass [it] on to Canadians," Gujar says. 

Born and raised in the Indian state of Maharashtra, renowned for its artistic traditions, Gujar as a young bride left her home for Fredericton 58 years ago. 

When she arrived, she took courses at the University of New Brunswick, where she received a diploma in business administration. 

After she raised her children, she became interested in shisha embroidery. In 1993, she joined a group of women in Fredericton who came together weekly to make embroidery.

She learned Western embroidery techniques — and shared her skills in mirror work.

"Traditional Indian embroidery is passed on from one generation to another," she said. 

Gujar plays a significant role in Fredericton's multicultural and Indo-Canadian community. She is one of the founders of the temple in Fredericton, and also worked as a social worker for various organizations.

Her embroidery has been displayed at Government House, and she has travelled around New Brunswick to showcase her custom-embroidered cloths and artwork. 

Shisha or mirror work embroidery originated in the 17th century in India. The process involves attaching small pieces of mirror to fabric to create a reflecting, beautiful pattern.

A traditional South Asian embroidery, mirror work today is popular in many part of the world.

"One can recognize its tradition, religion, by looking at the embroidered piece, the colour, the stitches, the designs," Gujar said.