The rational behind all those Geometrics!

Artwork Copyright the National Museum, New Delhi, India.
Top: Indra with attendant. Western India; Mandu. Kalpasutra Ms. AD 1439
Bottom: Kind Siddhartha ordering messengers to bring soothsayers. Western India; Mandu. Kalpasutra MS. AD 1439

These are two examples of manuscript illustrations dating from 1439, Western India: Mandu. They give an idea of the type of textile decorations in fashion on mens garments such as dhotis and chaddars for the home market. Even allowing for stylisation and simplification of the overall details of the motifs it becomes apparent that a certain decorative lavishness and exuberance was popular. Geometric shapes proliferate but there are more lyrical and curving elements to be found for example the borders of the chaddars.