To resuscitate the rich craft and embroidery of artisans of the Kachchh or Kutch district of Gujarat, Khamir is hosting a special three-day exhibition at Chinmaya Mission Hall in Lodhi Road here beginning this Friday.
As an institution dedicated to empowering artisans, Khamir makes productive use of Kachhh's resources to sustain the livelihood of artisans. It also provides creative space where artisans as well as musicians interact and share knowledge, skills and expertise in a congenial atmosphere.
According to Khamir director Meera Goradia, the exhibition seeks to retell stories of Kachchh artisans and put the spotlight on their craft. “After a gap of almost two years, we are again hosting an exhibition in the Capital. Due to rapid industrialisation, the craft skills of Kachchh artisans were on the downward slide. They basically specialise in weaving, block printing and pottery. We at Khamir are providing them a platform so that they can capture the urban market.” After the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001, Khamir has been in the forefront to keep alive the craft skills of artisans. “As a blessing in disguise, non-government organisations and a number of philanthropists started working in this region of our State. All this have given a fillip to the movement to preserve the rich art and craft of artisans of Kachchh. The positive outcome of this initiative has been that artisans have started re-inventing their products.”
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What all the artisans have been doing over the past ten years through hard work, perseverance and indigenous skills would be highlighted in the exhibition. The exhibition will also display metal bells, leather goods, pottery, lacquer, block printing, tie-dyeing, pottery, and silverware. A major highlight will be organic cotton and camel products.
“We have linked the camel cattle herders to value-generating local economies. As the camel milk is considered a rich source of nutrition, we sell camel milk and ice cream.”
Craft practitioners will also conduct workshops where visitors will get an opportunity to co-create with artisans' products in leather and silver.
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This year, Khamir is introducing Kala cotton, a product made from cotton believed to be in existence since time immemorial. Locally grown in Kachchh, this cotton has now been converted to hand-spun yarn, naturally dyed and hand woven. It grows in arid areas.