Vastrabharana is celebrating 20 years and the 2012 edition is back at Chitrakala Parishat with participants from all over the country, from September 29 to October 3. This flagship fundraiser event which has become synonymous with the connoisseurs of handcrafted textiles of Bangalore, will be inaugurated on September 29 by veteran actor and MP Jaya Bachchan. Living up to their motto of keeping alive our tradition of saree culture, the theme will be “Sarees—our heritage, our attire.” This year as always, over 38 master weavers and printers will be participating from different states along with semi precious handcrafted silver jewellery and South Indian Jadau ornaments in gold.
“Every year, a particular textile tradition is highlighted. This year’s focus will be on the Lambadi embroidery handcrafted by the Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra crafts persons on the famous cotton Gadag sarees of North Karnataka. The Crafts Council of Karnataka has contributed immensely towards the fine-tuning of the Lambani embroidery at Sandur particularly in the textile discipline, and this will be the central theme this year,” says chairperson of Crafts Council Karnataka, Pramila Prasad.
Other highlights: Kornad textiles of yore from Tamil Nadu, has been painstakingly revived by Hasta Weaves of Chennai, who are bringing a beautiful traditional collection of Kanjeevaram saris along with innovative textures and weaves. The prized Pochampally hand-woven Ikat more popularly known as Telia Rumal by the master craftsman, Padmasree Gajam Govardhan, will be showcased. The collection of Ghanshyam Sarode’s unique cotton and silk Paithanis, Uppadas, Khadis and Gadwals will also be featured. Lakshman Rao’s Mangalgiri sarees of Andhra Pradesh. Dwaraka, an NGO of Kalahasti will showcase hand-painted Kalamkari textiles. Govardhan Bhai of Kasab will be presenting Rajkot Patolas, Ashavalis, woven cottons from Ahmedabad and Garcholas. Shri Niraj of Raj Rajeswari will be bringing an exclusive collection of Varanasi weaves. There will also be a variety of hand-woven Tussars from Bengal, Bihar, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Along with Bagh prints from MP and Chattisgargh, the Dabu prints of Chaubandi, Kaladera, Rajasthan, with natural dyes have been painstakingly created for the connoisseurs of Vastrabharana. Shri Lalchand Chippa of Bagru- Rajasthan, a national awardee, is bringing a range of saris specially crafted for this event. The famous Laheriyas of Jaipur by Sabbir Nilgar will also be showcased.
Shyamji Bhai of Bujodi, Kutch, also a National Awardee, will be showcasing specially woven one-of-a-kind shawls for this exhibition. The famous Ajrak and Mashroo woven textiles/yardage from Ajrakpur-Kutch will be exhibited too.
The exclusive collection of weaves and prints from Madhya Pradesh by “Blocks and Weaves” is also popular among the textile lovers. There will also be an array of exclusive stitch painting (embroidery) from different parts of the country.
The Coimbatore silk cotton and silk sarees by Tharakram’s will be available. The handwoven pure cotton saris of Kancheepuram will also be available at the exhibition. The famous Ilkal saris and Guled Gudda Khanas from North Karnataka are well patronised at this event.
The Shibori collections from “Mura Collectives” have always been well received at this exhibition.