Padmaja Sakhamuri
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
The Crafts Council of Karnataka (CCK) presents the 31st version of Vastrabharana. “That is our annual flagship exhibition and can function a sale of handcrafted textiles and jewelry. The theme for this yr’s exhibition is Spice,” says Padmaja Sakhamuri, convenor of Vastrabharana talking over the cellphone from her house in RMV Structure in Bengaluru.
“Prior to now, we’ve had celebrities together with Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Shoba De, and Sridevi inaugurate our exhibitions. This yr, we thought we must always have a persona from Karnataka and it’s Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar who will likely be inaugurating the exhibition this yr,” provides Padmaja, additionally a committee member at CCK — a non-profit organisation began in Bengaluru in 1967 beneath the patronage of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. Additionally it is affiliated to the Crafts Council of India and World Crafts Council and focuses on selling and supporting crafts of Karnataka and sustaining livelihoods of craftspeople.
“We’re a small organisation and ensure all proceeds go to the craftsmen and for the betterment of the craft group. We attempt to do one thing in our personal little manner and search for identified personalities to be part of this exhibition as this additionally boosts the occasion in a constructive method,” says Padmaja, who has been curating Vastrabharana for 5 years now. “I began with the Mumbai Vastrabharana, however confronted glitches. The present didn’t take off as anticipated, maybe, we didn’t have the publicity as to what that metropolis anticipated. However, submit COVID-19 we’ve accomplished effectively in Bengaluru. We had our present in March 2021, following protocols. We even have common crafts exhibitions in November yearly.”
About deciding on the artisans, she says: “We do join with them, however off late, with Vastrabaharana changing into a model in itself, we even have craftsmen connecting with us. We have now our curation strategies and ensure to carry collectively handmade, genuine textiles, and nothing ready-made. We solely embrace ready-made-blouses as that has change into common moreover semi-stitched kurtas.”
This yr’s Vastrabharana will function artisans like Badshah Miyan (leheriya), Taana Baana (Kota doriya), Farookjan from Kashmir, Unma designs (weaves of Chhattisgarh) and Jeenu Panika (Kotpad saris from Odisha) to call a couple of.
“Badshah is a presidential awardee. Some others are regulars in our annual exhibitions. We even have a restricted stall variety of 50, of which three to 4 are reserved for jewelry. Moreover this, we’ve our favourites, specifically these arts and artisans who’re common with Bangaloreans and their merchandise do rather well. Chanderis, Assamese, Jhamdanis and Kanjeevarams are common right here.”
The pricing, she says, will go from ₹ 300 to a lakh. “COVID-19 has led to the doubling of costs as the price of uncooked supplies has additionally gone up. Therefore, handmade has change into dearer. But, to maintain the traditional traditions and crafts alive, we’ve to help the artisans. Arts and crafts do rather well on digital platforms, because of social media. We imagine issues will enhance in bodily areas too,” says Padmaja, who has a Masters in Botany and can also be a professional gemmologist.
“I at all times had a penchant for arts, tradition and journey. Throughout my journey, I particularly search for native crafts, artwork and textiles, which has widened my spectrum. This ardour is what acquired me concerned within the Crafts Council… and over time I’ve learnt from many craftsmen and my seniors.”
Vastrabharana will likely be on at Chitrakala Parishath, Race Course Street, from September 28 to October 2, between 10am and seven.30pm. Entry is free.