For 23 years now,  Aasha Savla has worked towards improving not just her life but the lives of over 100 weavers in Hubli.  From a small time embroidery designer,  she has, over the years, turned into an entrepreneur  with Aasha  Empress  Fashions, her very own store  in  Hubli.

Salwar sets, dupatta with exquisite embroidery and exclusive kasuti collection, traditional embroidery from Dharwad designed by Aasha are on display and sale at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat Hall No 2 on Kumar Krupa Road from September 3 to 5. This is Aasha’s first solo exhibition. The  exhibition will have a few pieces on home decor along with over 300  sarees in cotton and silk with. 

Apart from most familiar embroidery forms, Aasha's interest lies in Karnataka's traditional embroidery design.  Kasuti, that is predominant in the northern parts of the State, is slowly gaining popularity among people across the  country.  Previously believed to be a lost form of art, it has now been rediscovered and redefined to suit the urban  taste.  Mostly done on sarees and salwar suits, this traditional  design has become very popular with contemporary  style and Aasha has gone one step ahead by using it in home decor as well.

 It takes just a few minutes into the conversation to realise how passionate she is about her work. "I Love the art and have to thank my family and school for helping me develop it.  My grandmother and mother had a remarkable  influence on my love for this art as they were masters at this. I have spent hours watching them weave intricate  designs giving an ordinary piece of cloth an aesthetic touch,"  says Aasha.

Born and brought up in Kutch, Gujarat, she moved to Hubli after her marriage and that's when she converted her   small scale project into a  concrete profession.  She has participated in several Craft Council exhibitions in Karnataka,  Delhi, Chennai since 1995. "Craft Council provided so many artists, including me, with a platform to showcase our   talent.  The council is very supportive of first time designers who need encouragement and help."  she says.

She, in turn helps improve the lives of  weavers in Hubli by ensuring that they are well paid for the amount of   effort put in, which,she says, was not the case before she stepped in. 
"It's gratifying when the family of some of the  weavers who work for me come and thank me for the difference I have made in their lives."

DHNS