With a historical record that dates back to the period of the Chalukyas that witnessed a great resurgence in the field of art and architecture, the typical traditional Karnataka Kasuti art in embroidery is practiced primarily in the Dharwad district of Karnataka. The name Kasuti is driven from Ka- hand, and suti- cotton meaning the work is done by hand with cotton threads.

The uniqueness of this age-old craft is that it can be done by counting the threads of weft and warp of cloth and no design needs to be traced or implemented as outlines. The embroidery weave reflects a masterpiece of precision and intricate work and is time consuming. Kasuti work has no right or wrong side and there is no knot used at the beginning or at the end of the thread.

The embroidery was carved on temples as motifs and traditionally, used on Ilkal sarees and blouse pieces. The art form encompasses strong traditional designs like palanquins, elephants and creeping lotuses.