Experience India's ethnic designs

Handloom expo

For lovers of Indian ethnic fabrics and designs, a new exhibition beckons you at the Kamala Gallery, Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhavan in Connaught Place.

 The much-loved hotspot for indigenous wear in Delhi, Kamala Gallery is now hosting ‘Love of the Loom’. This is an expansive display of dupattas, fabrics and suit sets for those inclined towards Indian costumes. It flaunts myriad embroidery patterns and designs from across India – UP, Bihar, MP, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat – which can be a worthy inclusion in anyone’s wardrobe.

Kamala Gallery, named after the legendary cultural conservationist Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay, has been set up by the Crafts Council of India. All through the year, it employs artisans from the remotest corners of India to produce exquisite handicrafts and handlooms. These are then stocked and sold here in Delhi to popularise Indian designs in urban areas, as well as provide livelihood to the artisans and longevity to their art.

An exhibition of the kind of ‘Love of the Loom’ has been organised by the gallery for the first time. Yet its scale and variety is bound to impress any visitor.

An official at the gallery informed Metrolife, “We have got over 1,000 varieties of dupattas alone. These range from cotton to silk to linen and even georgette. The embroidery patterns include Lucknow’s chikankari, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh’s ikat, Bengal’s kantha, Gujarat’s ajrak, Rajasthan’s tie and dye, MP’s Bagh and Rajasthan’s Baghru print too. Besides, there are suit sets even in khadi.”

It is a riot of colours at this gallery. One can spot raw mango greens, bright yellows, flower pinks as well as earthy browns and greys. Tribal prints are ubiquitous, as much as folk paintings on fabrics and suits. Watch out for Madhubani work, elements of Worli and Patachitra paintings on suit sets.

On any other day, you can pick up a variety of handicrafts such as Bihar’s papier mache, jute bags, bamboo trays, baskets and folders, Pilkhawa wooden items and marble inlay work pieces of Rajasthan at Kamala Gallery. Then there are folk paintings on sale too. ‘Love of the Loom’ exhibition closes today.