The immense variety in texture and design on display at ‘Cottonfab - 2015’ underline the fact that cotton is superior to any fabric. As artisans and weavers from distant villages and towns unfold their creations at the exhibition, one gets a glimpse of their extraordinary aesthetics and nuanced handwork skills at weaving and the textiles arts - all done at the simple wooden loom and with needle and thread.
From mulmuls, Kotas, Uppadas and khadi, to complex Sambhalpuri ikkats, tribal tussars and classic Benarasis, each one tells stories of ancient weaving techniques and embellishments such as traditional embroideries and classic hand block prints.
Ramanand Basak, National awardee (2009) from West Bengal, has been at the loom since the age of 12. His brilliant creative streak can be seen in his saris. Each one is a masterpiece.
Next to catch the eye is weaver Aftab Alam’s innovative Bhagalpur tussar silk cotton saris with herring bone weave on pure cotton and silk saris, which celebrate the weavers’ art in the poetry of unusual textures and a strong colour palette.Vijay Khatri and other hand block printers bring a touch of summer in pretty floral prints on cotton and mull saris. Weaver Imtiyaz creates the Kota saris with their typical ‘khat’ patterning and gets them hand block printed in Bagh, Bagru, Dabu and Kalamkari. Fantasy flowers with blue, orange and purple petals against black or gold tissue backgrounds woven by Imtiyaz are pure festive wear. Then there are Chanderis in dramatic indigo and a host of other block prints.
Vivek’s Uppadas in bright colours are set off by huge jute borders and Shafiq Khasmiri’s hand-done Ari embroidery Firans bring the Valley’s flowers to the exhibition. Danish’s classic Benarasis in silk cotton look stunning with gold florets and amris on gold and black backgrounds.
Celebrating an equally complex weave are R.C. Sahu’s Sambhalpuri ikkat saris in soft summer colours. His collection includes the much sought after ‘Vichitra puri’ saris. And finally, summer’s perennial favourite - Lucknow’s chikankari saris and salwar kurta suits are also on display. In sharbati or mango colours, in jewel tones and pristine white, the ‘Awadh’ collection brings attractive saris and made-ups rich with the ‘tankhas’ of chikankari as well as other textile embellishments of the region. ‘Cottonfab-2015’ has been organised by M/s Awadh Hathkargha Hastshilp Evam Gramodyog Samiti under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The exhibition is on at Valluvar Kottam Hall, Nungambakkam High Road, till May 25.
