Wide range of traditional weaves were on display at Kairi 2017

An initiative of Delhi Crafts Council to provide marketing assistance to skilled weavers and printers, ‘Kairi 2017- an exhibition of textiles’ a four day long event had on display Ajrakh sarees made with khatri Aurangzeb’s vegetable dye, intricate Gujarat weaves, brocade and Banarasi woven fabrics to Odisha ikats, a wide range of traditional weaves from across the country here.

It also displayed an array of weaving styles and patterns including tie and dye, khadi, ajrakh, bagru and dabu prints, laaheriya, ikats and weaves in sarees, dupattas and fabrics.

Kamayani Jalani from Delhi Crafts Council said that the major aim of the show remained the upliftment of such artisans, while participating weavers were charged a nominal fee for setting up their stalls to cover the expenses of holding the exhibition.

There is no denying the fact that powerloom is cheaper than the handloom. But, they wanted to promote the handloom weavers and printers. Therefore, the products were way cheaper than their prices in the market.

While a yard of cloth ranged somewhere between Rs 200 and 1,000 per meter depending on the fabric, sarees were priced between Rs 600 and Rs 60,000.

The show also exhibited tribal weaves from remote regions like Bastar in Chhattisgarh, besides the widely popular South Indian weaves and Jaipur prints.

Now designers are associating themselves with the Indian textile heritage, which in turn is helping weavers earn recognition. Such exhibitions not only benefit weavers economically but also help in introducing the traditional weaves of the country to younger people.

The exhibition was held from 16 to 18 March at Aga Khan Hall, 6 Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi.