Chamba rumal, of the regions of Chamba, Jammu and Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh were embroidered mostly by the women of the region; earliest examples of this style of embroidery date to the late 18th century. These rumal (coverlets) were traditionally used to cover trays bearing ceremonial offerings and as hangings. The rumal usually portrayed mythological, hunting and court-scenes; the nayika-bheda (archetypal heroes and heroines) was also a popular theme showing such scenes as Krishna dancing with the gopika. While the outlines were executed in running-stitch the figures were filled in with double darning stitches. The figures bear close resemblance to the paintings of the Kangra Valley; in fact scholars even suggest that the fine outlines of the figures were drawn onto the rumal by the artists of the valley.
