Latest news with #WeavetheFuture2.0
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
How an exhibition on textiles in the Capital points to self-reliance and reimagining nature's bounty
'What we call slow fashion is actually not slow, it is actually on time. These are processes in sync with nature,' says Shubhi Sachan, the curator of Weave the Future 2.0, an ongoing exhibition organised by the Ministry of Textiles to draw attention to Indian textiles and their links to nature and communities. For Sachan, who is the founder of the Material Library of India, a research firm dedicated to reimagining waste in India, the focus has always been on understanding specific regional nuances of weaving and textile in a landscape gearing towards the mass production of fast fashion. This philosophy reflects in the regenerative materials and native techniques used by the 30-odd brands at the exhibition, which started on August 7 on National Handlooms Day and is on till August 17 in the National Crafts Museum premises. One of the standouts at the exhibition is an installation by Kora Design Collaborative, a Hyderabad-based design and research organisation focusing on creating community-based projects in rural India. This installation showcases 12 native varieties of cotton seeds and traces their journey through the entire indigenous cotton processing cycle, from harvesting to seed separation to fiber cleaning and weaving. Poludas Nagendra Satish, who heads Kora collective, outlines the organisation's thought process: 'We isolate things when we look at our communities. They are all interlinked. And this leads to erasure of knowledge. At Kora, we help communities rediscover traditional skills and adapt them to today's needs by combining traditional craft techniques with simple, contemporary designs.' One of the projects undertaken by Satish and Kora is 'creating a desi cotton ecosystem' to bring back spinning and weaving to cotton-growing areas and to battle the perception that American cotton or genetically modified cotton is 'superior'. The idea, Satish explains in his blog, is to 'create a system where rural communities can process their cotton locally, without having to depend on external machinery, experts, or industries for their day-to-day needs. This ecosystem is rooted in the idea of self-reliance, where knowledge, tools, and resources stay within the community.' Collaboration and communication is key to this. Explains Satish: 'There is an interesting technique of (indigenous cotton) weaving that's still practiced in Bengal. We try to actually integrate all this. We brought this to Andhra, where we grow our own cotton. We are still using simple tools. We weave on a handloom. And you can clearly see the difference in the quality.' Kora also creates small-scale tools that could be used by individuals, whether it is a farmer, a weaver, or a home-based artisan — 'to spin and weave yarn for their own family's use or for local markets'. This year, Kora hand-crafted mini sample looms for a design school that were made by a small team of people from the Duggirala Village of Andhra Pradesh. Another example of Kora's work is in the Kothuru village of Andhra Pradesh. In collaboration with the Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh, Kora helped the weavers use natural dyes, shift to cotton yarn, and experiment with new design patterns. For example, Kora sent the local artisans a design graph with three to four suggested colours. The artisans then sat together 'to discuss, and come up with two more colour variations' in the ikat wefts. The exhibition will also offer a soundscape installation by Sonam Khetan, capturing the disappearing sounds of the natural world as a result of human activities through the recordings of California based soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause. The show presents behind-the-scenes work by grassroots implementers such as Udaanta Trust, KORA Collective and Khamir, while brands such as Eka, Viraj Bhoomi and Lafaani have showcased their products as well. Alongside this is also another installation, which is an eco-printed panel, marked with petals and hand-appliqued dried flowers.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
National Handloom Day: This exhibition in Delhi's Crafts Museum weaves a tribute to spotlight Indian handloom
The warp and weft of weaving that gives birth to Indian handloom makes one take pride in the rich textile culture of our country. Showcasing the history and versatility of Indian textiles is the exhibition, Weave the Future 2.0, which opens in the Capital today, to celebrate National Handloom Day (August 7). Textile exhibits and some immersive installations make this exhibition a worthwhile viewing experience. Themed on The Regenerative Edition, this year's show will celebrate a return to nature-aligned practices in Indian textiles. For this, over 30 grassroots initiatives, brands are participating. There are also exhibits by those who are dedicated towards building circular, low-impact textile systems anchored in indigenous knowledge and ecological responsibility. Textile designers and brands that have nature-aligned practices in Indian textiles are showcasing their works at this exhibition. Looking forward to celebrating National Handloom Day with people who are passionate about climate, community and regeneration, Indira Varma, a fashion and textile designer from DHI Earth, shares, 'We are showcasing our latest range of smart casuals for both men and women as well as some corporate wear sarees and stoles. Each piece is handcrafted with eco-friendly block prints and naturally dyed handlooms by skilled artisan communities.' Celebrating handloom, sustainability, and circular craft practices will be 23°N 69°E, which is presenting a collection of hand block printed and hand painted garments made using organic cotton. 'We would also showcase textile waste artworks created using leftover fabric scraps from our studio in Delhi,' says Anas Sheikh, a practicing textile artist and founder of this clothing brand, adding, 'This exhibition is a reminder of why crafts matter and how traditions, when nurtured with care and intention, can shape a more thoughtful and regenerative future.' Alongside some intriguing installations, textiles are displayed at this showcase. There will also be on display some intriguing installations namely Soundscape by Sonam Khetan, Cotton 2.0 by Kora Design Collaborative, 'What if every thread remembered?' by Lafaani, and 11.11. These projects serve as a reflection of the exhibition's ethos, where textiles are not just products but living narratives of culture, ecology, and collective imagination. The rich legacy of Indian textiles is on display at this exhibition. Dr M Beena, Director Commissioner (Handlooms), adds: 'This exhibition stands as a testament to the resilience, beauty, and profound cultural significance of India's handloom traditions. On National Handloom Day, we are honoured to create a platform that not only honours our weavers and our heritage but also sparks vital conversations around sustainability, circularity, and regenerative practices. This initiative represents our collective commitment towards shaping a future where handlooms are not merely celebrated as a craft, but as a living system of knowledge, community, and ecological harmony.' Weave The Future 2.0 exhibition is organised at Crafts Museum in Delhi's Pragati Maidan. Catch It Live What: Weave the Future 2.0 Where: National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, Bhairon Road, Pragati Maidan When: August 7 to 17 Timing: 10.30am to 6.30pm Nearest Metro Station: Supreme Court on the Blue Line For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
