Exhibition on history, tradition of Banarasi weaves from today

River Weaves, an exhibition on the history, significance and preservation of Banarasi weaving, will be held from August 15 to 20 at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur. The exhibit is presented by veteran textile revivalist Chandra Jain, and designed and curated by graphic designers Chiara Nath and Siddhartha Das.

“I wanted to spread awareness about the wealth of our country’s weaving traditions, which we have lost out on over the years and are continuing to lose. These skills are not easy to learn. They were handed down from one generation to the next,” Chandra says. 

As a part of her work as a textile revivalist, Chandra also re-introduced natural dyes to weavers she worked with in Varanasi. This is one of the major themes in the exhibition. “Weavers largely stopped using natural dyes for about 125 years. Back then, we did not have chemical dyes. We relied on natural ingredients for our colours and yet, our clothes have always been very colourful,” she explains. 

Apart from Banarasi fabrics and saris, the showcase will also shed light on the whole process of weaving. “From the origin of the silk and spinning to when it is ready to be put on the loom, one can gain insight into the skills that are required to make a Banarasi sari,” she shares. 

Some exhibits highlight the importance of the punchcard makers in the process of weaving. “It is a very crucial job. Even one small mistake will result in defects in the sari,” Chandra points out.

The motifs used in traditional Banarasi saris will also feature in the exhibition. Each motif has a history and connection with the region’s flora and fauna. “A lot of the patterns came from Persia, but the weavers Indianised it — from the mango or paisley, to marigold and parijata flowers,” she notes. 

August 15 to 20, 11 am to 8 pm, at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur. For details, look up bangaloreinternationalcentre.org