Crafts Council of India Convenes National Artisans for Chennai Textile Showcase
The MRC Centre will host a 39-stall exhibition on August 7 and 8 to mark National Handloom Day. The event brings together heritage weavers from West Bengal, Benaras, and across India to showcase sustainable, handcrafted textiles.
Key takeaways
- The Crafts Council of India holds a textile showcase at Chennai's MRC Centre on August 7-8 to celebrate National Handloom Day.
- The event features 39 stalls displaying heritage techniques like jamdani, kantha, and eco-printing from various Indian regions.
- Major participants include Weavers Studio, Beej and Co, and Nilambari Sarees, focusing on sustainable production and artisan livelihoods.
- One-of-a-kind eco-printed garments using real flower and leaf pigments are being introduced to the Chennai market for the first time.
- The exhibition highlights labor-intensive crafts, such as Benaras jamdani saris which take up to three and a half months to weave.
Commemorating National Handloom Day in Chennai
In observation of National Handloom Day on August 7, the Crafts Council of India (CCI) is hosting a two-day exhibition at the MRC Centre on Santhome High Road. The event serves as a platform for 39 distinct stalls, featuring a diverse range of regional traditions including bandhani, leheriya, kantha, and ikat. By assembling a collective of artisans and designers, the showcase highlights the endurance of manual weaving and dyeing techniques in an era of industrial production.
Preserving Bengal’s Textile Vocabulary
Darshan Mekani Shah, representing the West Bengal-based Weavers Studio, is presenting an archive-inspired collection that bridges historical motifs and modern silhouettes. Her display includes:
- Hand-spun fabrics in cotton, linen, khadi, and eri silk.
- Traditional weaves such as jamdani, garod, Tangail, and Begampuri.
- Ready-to-wear garments including kaftans, tunics, and open jackets.
Shah is also introducing an eco-conscious accessory line. Utilizing remnants from larger garment cuts, she has developed a range of batwas and small bags, ensuring material waste from khadi and indigo shibori production is minimized.
Innovation in Natural Pigments and Embroidery
The exhibition introduces Chennai audiences to the eco-printing methods of Beej and Co. Founders Vishal C Bhand and Bijoya Halder utilize actual leaves and flowers to transfer natural pigments directly onto fabric, ensuring that no two pieces are identical. Their featured collection includes men’s marigold-print shirts and silk stoles. Beyond the aesthetic focus, Bhand emphasizes the socio-economic necessity of the craft, working with families to prevent the disappearance of specialized rural skills.
The Kantha Store, led by Farah Khan, further explores Bengal’s identity through hand-embroidered saris and domestic textiles. The presentation includes traditional labor-intensive baby quilts, aiming to maintain the relevance of rural craftsmanship for a global market.
Heritage Investments from Benaras
Representing the third generation of Nilambari Sarees, Atmesh Selot argues that handlooms represent the peak of sustainable fashion. His signature Benaras jamdani saris involve a three-month production cycle, requiring the synchronized effort of multiple skilled weavers using gold and silver zari. Selot notes that the use of natural yarns rather than polyester allows these garments to function as heirloom assets, passed down through multiple generations due to their inherent durability and lack of fixed sizing requirements.
Other participating labels include Abha Dalmia, Blue Lotus, and Tana Bana Maheshwari Handloom, offering a comprehensive look at kalamkari, shibori, and Maheshwari weaves.
Source: The Hindu - Lifestyle
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