Kolkata: Kamala presents ethnic textiles and accessories for the festive season

The exhibition on till September 9 (10am – 7pm), focuses on Kamala's endeavour to draw attention to traditional Indian fabrics, weaves and crafts by presenting an eclectic collection of carefully procured creations from the looms of award winning weavers and master craftsmen from across India.

The exhibtion showcases weaves from national award winners and Padma Shri winning artists such as Gajam Anjiah (Hyderabad), Gajam Govardhana (Hyderabad), Biren Basak (West Bengal), and Avdesh  Pandey (Jaipur).

While most creations remain bound to traditional theme, there are also textiles which have been woven keeping modern sensibilities and taste in mind, with a few changes in the weaving process and final look.

There is stunning kantha work on Bhagalpuri silk done by a Murshidabad-based group of street survivors under the guidance of Shabnam Ramaswamy.  The designs have various names like Tara Chutki, Dhew, Aina Khopa, Fan.

Silk Banarasi and cotton Jamdanis from Benaras, Cotton and Silk Gadwals from Telengana, Shibori salwar suit sets, yardage, kurti pieces from Mura, hand block-printed Maheshwaris and Chanderis from Akola, Sanganer and Bagru, Kantha stitch saris and dupattas from Murshidabad, Burdwan and Birbhum, double ikat saris, yardage and dupattas from Telengana and Andhra Pradesh, hand-embroidered blouse pieces and Kalamkari blouses from Andhra Pradesh, tussar of Bankura, Shantipuris, Begumpuris, Dhaniakhalis, Tangails from Bengal, pastel coloured hand-woven textured tussar saris from Bhagalpur, hand block-printed mulmuls of Rajasthan, cotton mekhlas from Assam are on display.

A wide range of khadi kurta material for men and women are also being exhibited.

For those seeking tasteful accessories, there is a wide variety of jewelry items in carved wood, grass and enamel.

Kasturi Gupta Menon, Honorary President, Crafts Council of India, said, " At Kamala, for this Pujas, we have showcased our rich and varied weaves known world over; where many modern motifs have been incorporated in traditional saris yet keeping the timeless appeal intact . For connoisseurs of traditional weaves, this exhibition is not to be missed. Each offering is truly a collector’s item and in picking  them, you stand in support of our national treasures-our talented artisans and weavers."