Vastrabharana’s second edition in the city promises to showcase the best of desi handloom traditions
Riding high on the success of its first Mumbai edition, the Craft Council of Karnataka’s (CCK) annual handicrafts exhibition, Vastrabharana, is back to showcase an array of handloom textiles and handmade jewellery from all over India. Sarees, scarves, stoles and dupattas in chanderi and khadi fabrics, Madhubani art weaves, ajrakh prints and hand-woven silks will be on sale at the two-day exhibition and sale. Vastrabharana aims at promoting Indian handlooms and textiles while providing a sustainable livelihood to local crafts people and artisans.
In addition to bridging the gap between artisan communities and urban markets, Vastrabharana also educates weavers and craftsmen on how to cater to contemporary buyers through design intervention and product development. The exhibition also aims at providing a sustainable livelihood and profits for 34 weavers from all around the country. “Fifty percent of our sales are from Vastrabharana,” says Anoop Rai of MARM, a participating brand that will be selling chanderi sarees (?3,500-12,500), dupattas (?1,500-4,500), scarves and stoles (? 1,000-1,500) and fabric (?600-1,000) at the textile exhibition.
CCK also aims at linking contemporary designers to local artisans who master the textile craft of their region. “[CCK] encourages us to work with the craftspeople who are directly involved with handmade products and they also try to keep traditional handicrafts alive”, says Manas Gorai, designer, gemmologist and owner of brand, Manas, which employed 15 craftspersons to put together, a collection of naturally dyed khadi fabrics and handmade jewellery which will be showcased at the exhibition, ranging from ?1500 to ?15000.
Vastrabharana 2018’s highlights include Sufiyan Khatri’s contemporary innovation with the ajrakh prints of Kutch, Metaphor Racha’s functional summer khadi clothing, Nuppur’s recreation of Madhubani art on woven materials and handlooms from Mangaligiri and Banaras by Vishal Kapur Design. Srinagar and vishwakarma sarees that tell stories by Palash as well as home furnishings in kasuti embroidery by Kala Nele. Designer Malavika of Malavika creations, a recipient of the UNESCO Seal of Excellence, will showcase a range of badla craftsmanship on Maheshwari and tussar silks.

www.thehindu.com