Exhibition to bring traditional Indian art into limelight

Bringing twenty-one weavers and craftsmen from different regions of India under one roof, Delhi Crafts Council (DCC) is organizing a three-day Sarees Exhibition in the city. The exhibition is an initiative by DCC to bring the traditional Indian art of weaving and dyeing of sarees in public limelight.

The exhibition, to be organized at Aga Khan Hall, would showcase an exclusive collection of Naturally Dyed Sarees. Named 'Sarees of India: Innovating Tradition', the exhibition will highlight innovative new techniques and designs that infuse new life into traditional techniques, prints and weaves. It will be held from October 5 – 7, as part of the celebration for their golden jubilee year.

The exhibition also aims to provide a platform to regional weavers to display their craft on a contemporary platform. Chief Guest for the event would be Sally Holkar from Women's Weaves Organization, who has worked tirelessly in Madhya Pradesh to preserve the dying weaves of the state.

"This year, DCC will be presenting collections of twenty-one participants working with different Indian weaves and printing techniques. India has a rich diversity of such techniques and it is our endeavor to bring these exciting developments before the discerning audience of Delhi," says Kamayani Jalan, Member-In-Charge of Sarees of India and Vice President DCC.

During the exhibition, an annual award called the "Sutrakar Samman"' will be given to a selected weaver with outstanding capabilities. Through this award, DCC seeks to celebrate India's rich textile heritage and honor excellence in traditional weaving skills while encouraging a commitment towards the continuity of the craft. This year, the Samman will be presented to Abdullah, a weaver from Mubarakpur, Uttar Pradesh. Learning the traditional weaving skills from his father and holding expertise in "kadwa" brocade borders, Abdullah is a member of the Mubarakpur Weaves team.

DCC will also honour an accomplished dyer, Ram Kishore Chippa from Jaipur, who has been working with natural dyes for 43 years. He has worked with the National Craft Institute for hand printed textiles in the past. Ram Kishore's skills are well recognized and he is called in as a master trainer for natural dyeing workshops across the country. Exhibitors from various parts of the country would take part in the exhibition. The list includes well known exhibitors from Udaipur, Hyderabad, Bujh, West Bengal, Kutch, Odisha, Bangalore, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Mumbai, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Some significant saree styles to look out for are Ikat, Ajrakh, Bappaditya, Bandhani, Bomkai, Sambhalpuri, Kasuti, Maheshwari, Shibori, Dabu, Tussars, Venkatgiri, Jamdani, Tasar, Banaras and Linen.