Cultural Connect

It’s an oft repeated phrase but it aptly puts the point across. When it comes to the cultural fabric of India,there truly is unity in diversity. It’s this uniqueness that the budding textile designers,in this case students from the textile design department of the Mohali-based Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT),set out to explore. “Craft documentation forms and important part of the curriculum of our textile design course with the students undertaking extensive study to document the rich and diverse aesthetic heritage of our country. The survey enables the students to interact with the craftsmen in their habitat and get first hand knowledge of the art and crafts,” remarked head of the knitwear design,Sumita Sikka who accompanied the students on the tour along with faculty member and Anu H Gupta. Divided into four groups consisting of six members each,the young textile designers spent over two weeks in different towns and cities of the state of Maharashtra and on their return put forth a craft documentation that well encapsulated the state’s varied handlooms and handicrafts that haven’t yet lost out to commercialization. For those of us who haven’t had a chance to know the stately crafts,here’s a quick guide dished out by the students by way of a presentation made on campus this Friday.

HUMROOH: An age-old weaving art of Aurangabad,handwoven Humrooh fabrics were used to serve the royal family. Since then this art has been preserved and the region’s weavers have skillfully combined cotton and silk thread to produce extravagant mixture called ‘Humrooh’,which means ‘something which has the soul of a fabric’.

THE BANJARAS: The Banjaras,as the students point out,have been closely related to social groups,moving from place to place on the outskirts of villages and towns carrying goods. Their unique sense of style that’s both original and bright have been documented by the textile designers.

SPARKLE AND SHINE: Maharashtra,for the uninitiated,is famous for crystals and corals. These stones make for beautiful silver jewellery and among those the students got to learn more about included amethyst,tourmaline,iolite,citrine and zircon.

PAITHANI SAREES: Call it a garment or legacy,this royal heritage originated in a place called Paithan,earlier known as Pratrishthan. The hand-woven zaris in the sarees also known as ‘Mahavastra’ are the USP.

BIDRIWARE: Originating in Bider,it brings in shiny silver inlay work against a black background. Designs in pure silver are inlaid in an alloy of zinc and copper.

NARAYANA PETH SAREE: This saree has a border of Rudraksh motif with fort or temple effect called Narayanapeth saree and is a pride of the state.

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NIPANI SAREE: Measuring nine metres in length,the Nipani saree is a blend of cotton and rayon (for its shine) and is worn by the fisherwomen of Maharashtra.

KOLHAPURI CHAPPAL: The world famous hand-crafted Kolhapuri chappal is known for its comfort and design. But did you know that it originated approximately 400 years ago as a gift given to Shivaji Rao.

WARLI:A popular folk art painting. It’s drawn on the wall by the Warli tribe in Maharashtra.