Hidden Treasures of Indian ArtGriff Rhys Jones goes to India in search of exquisite, traditionally made textiles. Can he solve the mystery of an extraordinary Indian floor cloth kept in England for over 300 years? Who made it, and does the skill with which the fabric was created still exist? In the state of Gujarat, renowned throughout history for textiles, Jones goes off the beaten track to the towns and villages of the North West plains and discovers how centuries-old printing, dyeing, and embroidering techniques are still cornerstones in a way of life. Then it’s on to the heart of one of India’s most ethnically distinct and tradition-bound societies, the Rabari, famed for astonishing embroidery. Here, Jones is confronted with another complex question: can the custom of spending decades making dowry gifts survive in today’s mass-produced, instant-gratification world?
