They hold hands with weavers and textile craft artisans in different regions of the country to bring creative synergy in the saris, dupattas, fabrics and made-ups created by ‘Hands of India’. Based in the Ranji Mandir founded by their great-great grandfather in Brindavan near Mathura, sisters Malyada and Ramya have lived with textiles all their lives.
After a brief stint at other professions they decided to set up artisans collectively called, ‘Hands of India’.
The ‘Hands of India’ initiative brings together captivating, and beguiling combination of weaves such as Mangalgiri, Maheshwari, Kota, Bengal cottons and Tussars with traditional block prints and embroideries such as Phulkari, Kantha, Chikankari, Kashmiri sozni and Bihar’s sujini.
The mini design explosion crafted seems natural and gentle in its drama and in tune with the integrity of both traditional weave and embellishment.
“In the early days”, say the sisters, “we travelled to remote weaving, block printing and embroidery locales to discuss colour combinations, motif placement etc. with weaver and artisan. We still sit with them on 10-day projects and get to the final design script or specifics of colour, count and fabric through e-mail. We even change our designs based on the width of the weaver’s loom. However, we now leave designing largely to the artisan’s impeccable design sense. We have a stitching unit in Brindavan, where women tailor our ready to wear garments line.”
Typical Phulkari motifs‘Hands of India’s’ Phulkari line is imbued with joyous colours. Typical Phulkari motifs bloom on Mangalgiri, Chanderi, Kota silk, cotton and tissue, as well as mul and Maheshwari saris, dupattas, yardage and made-ups.
Touches of Kantha stitches on cotton, Maheshwari and Mangalgiri create textured loveliness on a range of saris and made-ups. There is more textile excitement in Phulia tussars from West Bengal in a range of earth colours set off by dramatic woven pallus.
The made-ups have on display kurtas, kurtis, tops, palazzos, salwars, churidars and more in cotton, khadi and silk. Dressed up with hand block prints and kalamkari hand painting, and touched with kantha, phulkari, sujini and phool-patti-ka-kam, they combine casual chic with the heritage craft touch.
‘Hands of India’ is on at C.P. Arts Centre , 1 Eldams Road, Chennai-18 till 14th July 14.
