DHAKA: Promoters of hand-printed and handwoven textiles in the South Asian region have adapted different techniques to keep pace with changing times to cater to buyers who believe in promoting indigenous handicrafts without putting their fashion quotient at stake.

The ongoing Dastkar South Asian Bazaar provides a kaleidoscopic view of the cultural richness and diversity of crafts from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan and India.The bazaar is on till September 1.

There are around 65-exhibitors who specialise in their native skills and have been experimenting with various techniques to up the ante of their products.

Delhi-based Remakumar, a textile designer and consultant, has incorporated various techniques to merge weaves and embroideries from different states offering an ethnic fashion treat.

For instance, indigenous weaves from Uttarakhand have been used on cotton yarn instead of wool, a thoughtful step to provide all-year employment to the craftsmen.

“Usually you have this weave in wool. I have used cotton instead and now the craftsmen can work all through the year,” Remakumar told IANS while showing a fine cotton dupatta with detailed handwork.

“Indian craftsmanship is finest and has evolved with time. This has fallen into the line with fashion sensibilities and is no more considered boring. Adapting right techniques, and keeping basic sensibilities intact has put it into fashion forefront,” she added.

For one of her saris, she used chanderi silk from Madhya Pradesh and patti work from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh – a colourful fusion of the two.

Mostly women artisans comprise the workforce in this handicrafts group.

Basketry and bronze casting from Bhutan, Sindhi and Baluchi embroidered products from Pakistan along with marble products and jamdaani saris from Bangladesh are being exhibited.

Positioning itself as the luxury brand of Bangladesh is Living Blue that offers shawls and quilts made with utmost care.

The products on display are in the hues of white and blue. Referring to his brand as a social business, Mishael Aziz Ahmad, says they have a close knit team of 700 farmers and a workforce of 300 people who contribute in the making of the products.

“Indigo is the best natural dye that grows in Bangladesh. We cultivate it and then it goes through various processes before we get the finest dye,” Ahmad told IANS.

“The product is entirely hand-stitched,” he said adding the most difficult skill in stitching the helm.

Ahmad felt Bangladesh has the potential in promoting its textile expertise but lack of technological advancements puts them on the backfoot.

“Buyers want something different. To be in the game one has to innovate and evolve,” he concluded.

For the record, what was on display from Bhutan was their traditional costumes, lemongrass spray and bronze miniatures while language difficulties came in the way of understanding what was being displayed from Afghanistan.

The organisers claimed that Nepal was also represented but there was nothing overtly Nepali on view.

Source: vancouverdesi.com
BDST: 1517 HRS, AUG 30, 2013
SR/RIS