As if you needed a reason
As if you needed a reason. Shopping can not only make someone's livelihood, but save an entire art form.
Jamawar shawls from Kashmir, Jamdanis from Bengal, Tanchois from Banaras, Paithanis from Maharashtra, Patola and Mashru from Gujarat are but a few examples of the intricate and rich heritage of Indian hand-woven textiles.
Ancient Indian art was used on textiles, often drawn freehand by craftsmen using natural dyes and pigments, and used as backdrops for deities or as decorations on walls of homes.
However, these arts and weaves might soon be lost to posterity. Unless we take an interest in restoring and reinstating them. It's a legacy that we can keep alive, by making incremental contributions that will add to a wave of revival.
Renu Jathar, assistant curator (Art) at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya says, "The best way to ensure the perpetuation of these traditions is to buy the product. Traditional textiles, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, are also well suited to our climate. There is a wide array to choose from cloth which has design woven in it, printed, tie and dye, embroidery and there is always something to suit each pocket. Buying and using these is the best way to support these traditions."
"The list of crafts dying and craftsmen driven to poverty and often death is heartbreaking for any lover of tradition," says Anu Tandon Vieira, practising textile designer trained at the National Institute of Design.
"Earlier, there was royal patronage; now there is concerted effort by the government. But master craftsmen must be treated as national treasures, and constant monetary and technical support needs to be provided to them and their families."
Renu adds, "Thankfully the last two decades have seen a revival in most traditional textile manufacturers. A few weaves have seen a gradual fading over time, like the sarees from Karuppur in Tanjore. However most like those from Paithan, Varanasi, Maheshwar have received a new lease of life due to the effort of government agencies, NGOs and the bravery of the craftspersons themselves in fighting all odds and continuing to create their cloth masterpieces.
"In the last three years, Paramparik Karigar, associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, has been organising workshops with master craftspersons. Paramparik Karigar is an organisation of craftspersons that enables them to interact directly with the audience. We have 8 to 10 workshops every year that are open to all; there is an initiation to crafts like block printing, embroidery like kasuti, soof, chikankari, kantha etc. Exhibitions are held at the Coomaraswamy Hall of the Museum where you can buy their products."
Here are some ways that Anu feels we can do our bit to support these arts:
>>Craft tourism needs to be encouraged for artists and crafts people from other countries to visit and train under Indian craftsmen.
>>Craft awareness could be introduced at the school level to introduce the younger generation to their heritage.
>>To keep crafts abreast of current fashions and trends regular design and marketing inputs need to be given to this sector.
>>Craft centres and sale outlets along the lines of the Dilli Haat and Crafts village in Delhi need to be developed in all metros.
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