25 Oct 2016, 03:30 pm
These beautiful, hand-woven saris of Bengal - depicting Indo-European social and courtly life in Murshidabad - were introduced to the Benares handloom industry in the 1950s, which lead to the evolution of a new genre of Balucharis.
Such efforts were taken further in the 1980s, consolidating a new, contemporary tradition of its making.
Now, Weavers Studio Resource Centre (WSRC) in association with Tantuja, is unveiling a series of initiatives to draw attention to the various technical, historical, and creative aspects of Balucharis, and undertaking a revival project to recreate its traditional designs and explore new directions for the future.
The programme ‘Baluchari: Bengal & Beyond’ has a slew of initiatives towards contemporising this ever-glorious sari through design and ethics of craft revival, which was discussed at a Press Conference addressed by Darshan Mekani (Director, WSRC); Rabindranath Ray (MD, Tantuja); Kasturi Gupta Menon (President, Crafts Council of India) and Narayan Sinha (Artist).
“Baluchoris have a uniquely recognisable visual-material language, and are among the most figurative forms of hand-woven brocades in South Asia. Its historical legacy of patronage by royalty and aristocracy continues to maintain its appreciation as a rare textile art from the subcontinent,” said Darshan Mekani, Director, Weavers Studio Resource Centre.
The programme, slated to continue from Nov 18 to Dec 4, will feature an exhibition showcasing historical pieces from Tapi, WSRC, as well as institutional and private collections.
Contemporary pieces are included from Benares and Bishnupur, as well as specially-commissioned garment interpretations by renowned Indian fashion designers.
This revival initiative has been supported by MSME and the Textile Department of the Government of West Bengal, and reproduction pieces will be showcased through Tantuja.
The exhibition will also feature the current designs and status of the Baluchari, as well as future directions for the textile in fashion, home and lifestyle, by leading Indian designers.
On Nov 19, there will be a day-long seminar with eminent historians, textile experts, GI deliberation and master craftspersons’ perspectives at the auditorium of the Birla Academy of Art and Culture.
This will be presented by Jyotindra Jain, Tulsi Vatsal, Jasleen Dhamija, Naseem Hafiz, Monisha Ahmed, Anjan Chakraverty, Ritu Sethi, Mayank Mansingh Kaul, and others. Rosemary Crill will be the moderator.
- Vattikuti Foundation announces KS International Innovation Awards for Robotic Surgery
- Vattikuti Foundation announces Brady-Vattikuti Robotic Academy hands-on masterclass in Urology
- Rashmi Group and Rice Adamas Group get franchise rights in Bengal Pro T20 League
- Shrachi Group, Servotech bag franchise rights in Bengal Pro T20 League
- Bengal Pro T20 League unveils its official logo
- Le Rythme& AWIPL hosts skill development programme on 'Accounts Executive' in Kolkata
- NEZ International Film Festival focuses on independent cinema in 9th edition, special focus on European filmmakers
- Deptt of Science and Technology funded Incubator at Sona College to spur entrepreneurship in Salem
- HireMee earns prestigious Global Impact sourcing award from IAOP, in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation
- Embracing Robotic Surgery key to improving women’s disease treatments: Gynaecologists
Tokyo: Airlines were forced to cancel over 300 flights following the collision between a Japan Coast Guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines passenger plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday evening even as reports said the plane was cleared to land ahead of the tragedy.
New Delhi/NITN: Regular flyers on Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s low-cost carrier, can now avail a host of discounts and benefits by enrolling for the new membership club introduced by the airline, recently.
Gurugram: Air India, a global airline in India, has initiated the deployment of its recently acquired Boeing 777 aircraft to serve all three non-stop routes from Mumbai to the United States.