Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
`Tech- styles'
COMPUTERS INVADED every sphere of our lives even before we crossed the millennium, or so we thought until the city-based Academy of Research and Training (ART) proved otherwise by bringing in Tex CAD -- computer-aided textile designing.
ART, which opened in May in association with Teckmen Systems, Pune, is the baby of Viswambaran, an entrepreneur based in Chennai. The three-month certificate course being offered by ART (tel. no. 723090) claims to be the one and only full-fledged Tex CAD course in the State. Though Tex CAD is part of the curriculum in design courses in many states, it is yet to catch up in Kerala. "This is mainly because no one is aware of the wonders computers can do in this field," says Harish, an instructor at ART.
Keeping this in mind, ART is now conducting demonstrations at other fashion institutes to create awareness among students and teachers. "But it will take some time for them to get out of the cocoon," says Harish. In cities such as Coimbatore, computer-aided looms are already in use. Even with an upgraded curriculum, other similar institutes pose no threat to ART, says Harish. "These institutions can never give the individual attention we provide to the students. So they will always come to us for practical knowledge."
The Central Government is also taking interest in computerising this field. Under the Deendayal Hatkar Yojana, it has announced a grant of Rs. 5 lakh to the handloom societies for computerisation. Once the programme comes into being, which is expected in the near future, Tex CAD will become mandatory, and so in great demand.
Computers allow for a lot of permutations and combinations in designs, and matching and colouring are precise, whereas there are limitations to drawing done by hand. "With the entry of inkjet printing in the advertising arena, which has replaced hand painting of hoardings, the time is not far when it will be used to even print a saree," Harish says.
Wishful thinking indeed. But with such rapid developments, this sure won't remain a pipe dream for long.
AMBIKA VARMA
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
