Somaiya Kala Vidya’s annual graduation exhibition is bringing together 30 talented artisan-designers to showcase their work
SKV’s Annual Exhibition in 2024
After showcasing their craftsmanship at the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, graduating artisans from Somaiya Kala Vidya are all set to display their work today and tomorrow.
As an institution based in Anjar, Kutch, a place renowned for its traditional art, SKV aims to promote and preserve India’s traditional textile arts by teaching artisans innovative designs and business education. This year, the exhibition titled “Kachchhi Virasat”, literally translating to “The Heritage of Kutch”, focuses on displaying works by 30 talented artisan-designers — 17 from Kutch and 13 from Bagalkote, who have created some exceptional pieces out of their journey at SKV.
Artisans display various traditional textile works at the 2024 exhibition
In efforts to preserve India’s cultural heritage, the exhibition will have students from Kutch representing crafts such as Ajrakh block printing, Bandhani, extra-weft weaving, Rabari and Sufi embroidery as well as Batik; whereas students from Bagalkote will showcase the art of Ilkal weaving.
The course is known for its inclusivity. Nishit Sangomla, director of Somaiya Kala Vidya, shares, “These students are not from one particular age category, some of them are also as young as 16. A student need not have any primary educational qualifications to be a part of the school; just the willingness to learn the technique and hone their skills. We have taught people who have held multiple degrees, but have also taught students who are illiterate.”
Nishit Sangomla
He adds, “This is a year-long course — they are taught everything from the design thinking process to colour theories.” Furthermore, with a huge amount of women’s participation and upskilling, it’s a good example of women’s empowerment.
As fast fashion continues to take over the clothing industry and render traditional arts obsolete, SKV’s response is not to do away with fast fashion, but grow alongside it. The governing board member of Somaiya Kala Vidya, Amrita Somaiya, shares, “In the process of learning the crafts, the artists relearn some of their own heritage. This prompts them to bring awareness about their own cultures in the markets. The artists also interact with customers and look at social media for the demand that exists in the markets, and they create garments that cater to these demands. Thus, the creations stay trendy, contemporary and relevant.” To this, Sangomla adds, “Culture is not static in nature, it is dynamic and ever-evolving with the people who are preserving it. It is necessary to put the onus on the artisans to decide the form that they want their art to take.”
Amrita Somaiya
With the goal to stay updated with technology, the institution also employs AI to enhance the learning process. The artisans can prompt it in Hindi or their own regional languages. Sangomla adds, “The integration of technology is also visible in the digital marketplace that they launch to sell the artisans’ works. To keep things balanced, the usage of technology is not maximised due to the disparity that comes in — a lot of artisans do not know how to use computers. Thus, we bring technology into play according to the artists’ capabilities.”
As a first-of-its-kind exhibition in India, Kachchhi Virasat serves as a wonderful example of creativity, communicating an understanding of the heritage of the places that these artisans come from. The originality in designs, the adoption of modern trends that blend with traditional arts, the inclusive approach, and the ability of the artisans to create their own labels and market them is something that one can look forward to.
WHERE: Cymroza Art Gallery, Cumballa Hill
WHEN: 10 am to 7 pm, September 28 and 29
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