Traditional designs and patterns from different Indian states come together in a riot of colours at the National Handloom Expo currently on at the Bandra Reclamation grounds
Traditional designs and patterns from different Indian states come together in a riot of colours at the National Handloom Expo currently on at the Bandra Reclamation grounds
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As one enters the National Handloom Expo, it's tough to miss the colours, designs and fabrics on display. Tradition takes centrestage as one catches a glimpse or two of several dying art forms.
At National Handloom Expo, Ground No 1, Bandra Reclamation.
Till February 13, 2 pm to 9 pm
Jammu & Kashmir: Pashmina rules
The state is famous for shawls and one can spot the Pashmina variety here. These shawls are handspun and made of fine cashmere wool, which makes them a lot more expensive than the typical woolen shawls. A unique pashmina shawl on sale here costs Rs 48,000.
Gujarat: Bandhni,u00a0by choice
A saree of ten different colours on display catches the eye as soon as you enter this stall. This bandhni saree took about six months to make and costs Rs 25,000. "It has silver zari as well. It is a unique piece," says Kaushal Bhayani, the artist who wove this saree. "Bandhni work is tedious and takes long. First, the rough print of the design is made; then, it is tied to get those designs. It is also called the tie-and-dye method," adds Bhayani. Gujarat is famous for bandhni and at this stall a wide variety of sarees, suits and dupattas can be spotted. Bandhni sarees start from Rs1,000.
West Bengal: Gou00a0the Baluchari way
Most of the traditional Bengal varieties are on display here. Kantha, Jamdani and Baluchari are some of Bengal's specialties and you will spot these weaves on sarees, suits and dupattas. The Baluchari sarees are traditional sarees inspired by a scene from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata. Typically, Krishna, Radha or Ram can be spotted along these saree borders. The sarees range from Rs 500 to Rs 9,000.
Bihar: Bringu00a0back Nalanda
Clothes with Nalanda work is a rarity today. Ratan Lal, who has been in the business for over 15 years, says, "Plenty of artists did Nalanda work before; today there are onlyu00a0 25-30 of them who are left in Bihar." According to him, the art has almost died and such exhibitions help them sustain themselves. "We made dress materials with Nalanda work on them and they sold out. Human figures are very popular. We also had a 7- feet Buddha made on a saree, which was a beautiful piece of work," he says.
Cool pick: Bangalore wooden toys
Also on display were Sayyad Akram's handmade toys, painted with vegetable dyes. Apart from Pinocchios, crocodiles and bikes, you'll spot caterpillars and snails that teach kids numbers and how to solve jigsaw puzzles. We thought the wooden version of the tic-tac-toe and the Indian avatar of the top were great eco-friendly gifts.
Theme pavilion: 108-bird-weave fabric
This is the first stall and easily one of the most exciting stops that one spots on entering the exhibition. This stall is set up by the Weaver's Service Centre. The stall displays cloth wall hangings and sarees with beautiful designs, but most of them are not for sale. Many of the sarees display eye-catching block paintings; look around and one spots an array of designs and patterns that showcase fine craftsmanship. One particular design with 108 birds took nearly three months to create. Artist Naveen Patel says, "We have used 108 blocks to make the designs on the bird patterned fabric." Also on display is the handloom; here, a man busily goes about weaving cloth. The theme pavilion including a working handloom is on display at every national exhibition in an attempt to encourage weavers to take up traditional weaving methods.
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