Celebrating traditional Kanjivaram weaves and tales

The sarees, a few of which are as old as 90 years, were rescued and bought from hawkers, literally snatched from the fire. “The hawkers burn these sarees to retrieve the gold and silver from them. So, every piece here has a unique story to tell. We’ve collected them over a period of 12 years. You may not be able to find some of the weaves and patterns anymore. 

This exhibit will help educate those who have not seen and maybe not aware of the kind of weaves prevalent then. Also, none of these are for sale, for they are testimony to the rich history and tradition of the Kanjivaram,” says Santosh, who will be displaying the sarees on August 7 (today) at Luz House, Mylapore. However, maintaining and preserving Kanjivarams, need a lot of care. “Since original Kanjivarams are made of fragile silk and metal, they tend to bend and break eventually. So it’s essential to refold your sarees regularly, wash and wear them as and when possible, and most importantly, expose them to fresh air. Also, to avoid insects, we use a special powder made from spices. We will be distributing them to guests at the exhibition,” mentions Santosh.  

According to data available, India has 95 per cent of all handlooms in the world. Handlooms and handicrafts are two of the country’s largest sectors after farming. But, the weaving community, much like its farming counterpart, is being neglected, feels Santosh. “The weavers and their traditional artistry have been diminishing drastically in the modern era. We may have lost several techniques and knowledge in the process. Best example is the original three-shuttle loom. Only a few of them remain, and at the current rate, we may lose all of them in the next 20 years if not preserved, much like how difficult it is to find a carpenter these days,” rues Santosh.  

The way forward, Santosh says, is to use the existing resources to our advantage. “You don’t even have to rope in more people. All we need to do is innovate and reinvent looms like the Kanjivaram and come out with other products apart from sarees. We must empower and equip them with the latest technology. We also need to hold regular exhibitions and discussions by engaging the pubic to bring to light the relevance of weaving, earning the weaving community the respect and support, both financially and otherwise, they rightfully deserve. Hopefully, our exhibition inspires others to collect and document these works, thereby resulting in greater awareness and continuation of this great art for generations to cherish,” finishes Santosh.