In a first-of-a-kind initiative, Heritage 365 brings together fashion designers and craftsmen on the same platform. Ankita Jain reports
The lively beat of the dhol mixed with lyrical Gujarati folk songs echo in the air as we enter the exhibition grounds. Moving closer, we pass various stalls displaying Rajasthani savouries, to camel leather shoes, silk quilts to ceramic planters. looks a bit like a bustling medieval bazaar. We see dancers float on the stage in their heavily-embroidered ghagra, choli and dupatta, decked with jewellery, even as they perform precarious acts with nimble steps and swaying their bodies. There is excitement and joie de vivre, whoops and claps, as men and women, old and young, and even toddlers, dance around the garba deep.
A few steps further, we notice the little men sport handle-bar moustaches and colourful turbans, the women in flowing stone-studded ghagras and white, heavy bangles. Well, these are dolls made of wood and cloth and are pulled by strings while they enact stories of chivalrous kings and pretty queens. This is Katputli ka Khel (puppet show), one of the most popular, traditional folk art forms of Rajasthan.
Moving ahead, chanderi cottons from Madhya Pradesh and a wide range of brass products catch our eyes. “The idea behind this exhibition named Heritage 365 is to bring three states of India, namely Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, to one platform. The artform and their culture have been blended together for the people of Delhi. It is also a reminder to the city people that we should include traditional Indian art and craft in our daily lives as well,” says Aman Nath, the founder-trustee of the Neemrana Music Foundation.
He further adds, “It has always been my endeavour to promote Indian heritage and to showcase what we can offer by repackaging the unrivalled crafts, culture and tradition of the chosen states, re-imagined by the country’s foremost creative minds. But this area has remained unrepresented.”
Hinting on three new states next year, he smiles and continues, “We may come up with Bengal, Odissa and some other state with artistic value.”
The exhibition also gives an opportunity to the shopaholics like us to splurge on traditional kundan, polki, silver jewellery along with contemporary fashion accessories, handcrafted mojaris, bags and travel kits. Several master craftsmen like Nirmal Salvi, famous for Patan Patola sarees, Abdul Jabbar Khatri and Padma Shri awardee Mohammad Tyaab Khan for tie and dye, Abdul Rauf Khatri for ajarakha block printing and Vankar Shamji Vishram for handloom weaving are also seen here.
“We have brought the hand-dyeing art from Jodhpur to Delhi. This art which used to be practised in France and was priced above Rs 25,000. We have recreated the same artworks but they are all hand-done with prices ranging from Rs 2500 to 6000. Through this venture I have given employment to almost 90 per cent widows of Jodhpur who didn’t have any supporting hand,” said Tyaab Khan.
Jute jhoolas, oval table mats featuring rabari embroidery and intricately carved wooden jharokhas painted in soft colours, seem to infuse new life into the traditional fare. Choosing a bandhej saree for her, we meet the organiser of the exhibition, Vandana Haksar. “This exhibition brings out, albeit in a small way, the contemporary relevance of all three states’ traditional craft skills,” she says.
The exhibition also features Anupama Bose, Sanjay Garg, Purvi Doshi, Vaya, Bodhi, Button Masala and O layla, Pero, Rasa for clothes, Sameer Wheaton with furniture, Anantaya for home décor and Amrapali for exquisite jadau and silver jewellery, among others.
“Such exhibitions provide great exposure but in terms of footfalls, our expectations are not met,” says Manju Singh, a furniture designer.