Designer and textile revivalist paying an ode to Indian textile heritage

Designer and textile revivalist Vidhi Singhania and Rajkumari Nandini Singh of Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh) paying ‘An Ode to Indian Textile Heritage’, recently launched their respective collections here. Indian textile is a form of art, history and heritage which needs to be protected and promoted. It is a treasure which has to be presented in the correct way.

Gond and kalamkari artworks, pichwai paintings and hand spun benarasi and kota sarees are part of a new fashion and art collection that seeks to preserve India’s dying textile heritage as well as conserve wildlife.

Vidhi’s fashion line is a blend of tradition and contemporary fashion, Nandini’s collection draws inspiration from the carvings on the walls of temples in Khajuraho and Ujjain to curate a range of artworks.

The apparel range by Vidhi pays respect to traditional weaving traditions such as foiling, painting and embroidery. The designer said that her attempt is to preserve, revive and sustain the age-old heritage of Indian textiles as they are on the verge of vanishing.

She further added that artisans have so much to give, but, while they work with the artisans to generate contemporary designs, they must also protect the traditional structure of the fabric and weaving techniques.

Her collection includes sarees in Kota, Benarasi and Chanderi, lehengas, ankle-length skirts, Rajasthani leherias, exquisite bridal ensembles, embellished blouses and potlis besides home decor items such as cushions, mats, trays and coasters.

Nandini, on her part, has put together a show of wildlife art inspired from natural habitats and ecosystems from the states of Madhya Pradeshand Rajasthan, emphasising on the need to conserve wildlife.

The varied range of gond and kalamkari works in acrylic, wildlife art in charcoal and old pichwais in vibrant colour palettes with new motifs and patterns take the traditional art forms forward in a manner that appeals to contemporary collectors.

Nandini, who has been working with a group of tribal artists from Madhya Pradeshfor the last few years is also showcasing abstract and landscape paintings by an Indore-based artisan Shankar Shinde who primarily recreates temple art found in monuments across Madhya Pradesh.

She has also been conducting workshops with the artists to promote their art not only in India but also abroad. In one in her paintings pertaining to traditional Indian art, a special Japanese rotating pen is used for these paintings.