Skip to main content

Indian Handloom Saris: Once again in vogue #IndianHandlooms, #IndianEthnicWear, #IndianHandloomSaris, #TrendyIndianHandlooms

The last few years have seen a spurt of interest globally, in Indian handlooms, particularly handloom saris and ethnic wear. Thanks to the concerted efforts of a few dedicated and committed designers and revivalists, Indian handlooms are trendy and cool and much in demand.

Looms of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, like Chanderi, Maheshwari, Linen, Kantha, Khadi, Benarasi, Kosa, Tussar, Ikat, Telia etc. have swept the fashion scene. Hand-painting styles like Kalamkari, Patachitra and Madhubani are the in-things. Fashionistas and celebrities are falling on top of each other to endorse and wear the latest handmade, handwoven speciality.

Image result for linen saree  Linen sarees are being worn to red carpet events. Khadi has become a fashion statement. Kalamkari printed blouses and jackets rule the fashion ramps. And corporate honchos swish around in tussar and raw silk weaves.

Image result for tussar silk saree

Weavers are also much more abreast with latest trends in fashion, thanks to social media and internet. Designs are more contemporary and street smart. And weavers and spinners are no longer relying on their grandfather's designs and age old techniques to produce their goods. They know what sells and what's in demand.










While this is good news, let's hope some of the good fortune generated from sales, percolates down to the rural weaver or artisan, who lives his/her life in anonymity and impoverishment. Locational and infrastructural constraints still prevent weavers from selling directly to the buyer, and the middleman usually takes the largest share of the pie. Designers like Anavila, Gaurang Shah, Ritu Kumar, Amlin Dutta, etc. have done their bit in popularizing handloom couture, and state government handloom and handicrafts industries have set up cooperatives etc, but a lot needs to be done yet.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Enough! No more rape!

The recent horrifying, stomach-churning incident in Kolkata is not a one-time aberration. It keeps occuring in our country. And we women are also responsible for this stinking rot in society. Ask yourself these uncomfortable questions. How many of you protest when a girl wearing "revealing clothes" is cat-called?  Did you show your support for our wrestlers protesting against a habitual offender? Did your blood boil when you saw pictures of our sisters in Manipur paraded naked?  When rapists are released from prison or routinely escape punishment, do you raise your voice? How many of you have tolerated violence or even casual sexism in your own home? Do you turn the other way when transgenders are leered at? Do you grin and bear it when the men in your family crack obscene jokes? Do Kathua and Hathras ring a bell? And lastly, how many of you thronged cinema halls to make misogynistic horrors like Animal and Kabir Singh blockbusters? I have asked myself and am distinctly feeli...
Post a Comment
Read more

All We Imagine as Light- Lyricism on Celluloid

When an Indian film makes it the prestigious Cannes film festival, the world sits up and takes notice! And the lovely ladies swinging on the stage is a recent memory that brings a sense of pride. I had the good fortune to catch this film on screen recently. A review of such work is unnecessary, but still am bursting to say a few words. Right from the scintillating background score, to the events that unfold like pages fluttering in an open book, to the effortless performances, it's a masterpiece all right! The first half romances Mumbai- in the rains, at night, in the bazaars, in dingy rooms, in the local trains. Image source: Wikipedia  The second half shows what light truly is, brilliant sunshine, crashing waves and salty air in a small coastal village in Maharashtra. You can feel the taste of salt, the breeze in your hair and the touch of sand under your feet, the cinematography is so real. Payal Kapadia masters the art of holding back, of showing beauty in the mundane. The hosp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Laapataa Ladies - the Unfortunate Story of Lost Women

Laapataa Ladies is a deceptively simple, yet extremely thought-provoking satire couched in a simple story of exchanged brides. Image Source: IMdB This is the unfortunate story of countless ordinary women living under the veil, in the shadow of uncaring men. Who can't remember any details of their husband or the sasural they are married into. Who are trained only to obey their husband, do their duty in the kitchen, and follow orders of in-laws. Who don't have the liberty to study or do something for their own betterment. What can we expect for such women, except a lifetime of slavery? If the husband happens to be good, then there's some ray of hope. If he's a rascal, then God save her. Thanks to Kiran Rao for addressing the woes of 80% of Indian women living in nameless villages. And thanks for calling out the "greatest fraud" - the fraud of getting ready for marriage and domesticity. Where you can make the perfect kalakand, but you can't find your way...
Post a Comment
Read more