HandsOfIndia, a Vrindaban-based group, presents an exhibition and sale of hand-woven and hand-embroidered clothing and home-furnishings.
The fabrics featured include Chanderi, Venkatgiri, Mangalgiri, Kota, Kanchi cotton, tussar, khadi, Bengal cotton, mul-mul and hand-woven casement. The embroidery forms, done largely by women's self help groups, includes Phulkari, Chikankari, Kutchi embroidery, Kantha and Convent embroidery.
The range features kurtis, suit sets, dupattas, saris, skirts, wraparounds, western tops, gent's shirts and kurtas, capris and casual trousers — all made from hand-woven fabrics. Clothes are available in four sizes — S,M,L and XL. They have a changing room and an alteration centre, where clothes will be altered at the exhibition hall itself. Prices range from Rs. 600 for a single kurta to Rs. 1,900 for a stitched ready-to-wear three-piece suit.
On sale will be Donguria saris from Orissa, tussar and silk-cotton saris from Phulia, Kota saris hand-embroidered with Phulkari/Kantha and Chikan, Chanderi saris which have been revived from 100 year old samples, and Venkatgiri cotton saris hand-embroidered in various parts of the country. Tussar saris have been hand-embroidered with small mirrors at Bhuj, while Kota and Venkatgiri sari have been embroidered with Phulkari and Chikanwork. There are also Bengal cotton saris hand-painted by women artisans.
The exhibition also features home furnishings and table linen in white, embroidered by women artisans in Kanyakumari and it features fine cross-stitch work. There are cushion-covers, hand-woven foldable grass mats and hand-block printed bed-spreads as well.
Malyada Goverdhan started HandsOfIndia with her sister Ramya This in 2006. Malyada was a software architect and Ramya was with the Indian Air Force, working as an Air Traffic Controller. They were so passionate about all things handmade, they quit these careers to start the craft organisation. They currently work with 25 artisan groups from all over the country (involving about 300 artisans).
Malyada says: “We have been working in this field for six years now, and while the products are boutique quality, they are made in villages by various artisans using a distributed system of working which we have taken six years to implement.
“These are not mass-produced products made in polluting industries where the profit is controlled by a few rich people. All our products have a story to tell, carry the personal touch of a human hand and are made in cottage industries where the money directly goes to the artisan.”
Malyada adds: “We want to encourage the younger generation to consider hand-woven fabrics as a chic option, and will be showcasing our signature line of western apparel too.” As an incentive, all students who come with their student ID cards will be given a 10 per cent discount on purchases made for themselves. Tops start from Rs. 490 onwards and skirts are priced Rs. 550 and above.
Shift dresses, the current rage all over the world, says Malyada, are priced at Rs. 1,000 onwards.
Their products are also available on www.handsofindia.com
The exhibition will be held at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, next to Taj West End. It will be on from September 26 to October 2, from 10.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Call 94641-67833/98452-27919.
