Seven-day Exhibition of Handicrafts from Shantiniketan from West Bengal to be held in city. Organized by Swayambhar NARI (Non-formal Action Research Institute), a Kolkata-based Voluntary Organisation will be held at YWCA, West Marredpally Road, Secunderabad. It will be held from 18th to 24th August from 10am to 8pm daily.
Design Saree in Cotton, Tussar, Silk Block Print, Applique, different types of embroidery, Kantha embroidery, dress material, dupatta, bed covers, ladies and gents kurtas, mats, jute bags and different types of jewellery are some of the highlights.
Kantha embroidery collection as dupatta, sarees, dresses, shirts, material and bags.
Kantha is a popular style of embroidery that comes from West Bengal, is a significant symbol that displays the skill and talent of the rural women in Bengal. It is perhaps the oldest forms of Indian embroidery as it can be traced back to the first and second A.D. The thought behind this needlework was to reuse old clothes and materials and turn them into something new. This is what makes kantha embroidery only one of its kind. Kantha work is approximately 500 years old.
Designer Grass Mats made of Golden Grass and Khesh Sarees, made using a unique technique of weaving old sarees by tearing them into thin strips are some highlights, handmade stone and Jute jewellery are some of the other highlights of the exhibition. Different boutiques are also participating from Kolkata with their creative items.
Swayambhar NARI was started in 1988 essentially for women but over the years the male craftsmen too have joined. It was started as a voluntary group for providing marketing facilities to craft persons. Today, it has more than 1,000 members. The organisation runs two craft schools at Midnapore and Birbhum, Shantiniketan besides schools in rural areas for the craftsperson’s' children. It advises craftsperson’s on design matters.
Swayambhar NARI activities are supported by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt, of India; National Jute Board (Ministry of Textiles, Govt, of India); KHADI; National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Wadi Project of NABARD, National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for skill up gradation and product diversification in handicrafts.
Besides promoting the handicrafts and handlooms, the exhibition lays special stress to shun plastics and use Jute and other eco-friendly products.
