मेरी कहानी सुनो
AIACA X Memeraki
About The Installation
Threading its way through India's vibrant tapestry, the textile industry ranks as the second-largest generator of employment nationwide. Across the vast country, over 29 lakh handlooms hum with artistic rhythm, weaving not just cloth, but cultural narratives. Mapping this diverse ecosystem presents a complex challenge, yet our मेरी कहानी सुनो- Textile Wall stands as an ode to the 35 million Indians whose lives are intricately woven with this industry.
From the shimmering threads of silk to the comforting embrace of cotton and the earthy tones of jute, our stories are told in the versatile language of dyes, textures, and intricate embroideries. Simply scan any handloom piece here to embark on a journey through its rich heritage.
Craftकथा is an annual event organised by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association dedicated to showcasing the authenticity and sustainability of India's rich handicraft heritage. The event emphasizes that craft is not just about creating products; it's about narrating stories that echo the pride of cultural traditions upheld by skilled craftsmen across generations.
Chikankari
Chikankari is a traditional embroidery style that originated in the city of Lucknow, India. It is renowned for its delicate and intricate white thread work on fine muslin fabric, creating beautiful patterns and designs. The history of chikankari can be traced back several centuries. Chikankari is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like cotton, chanderi, muslin, georgette, viscose, silk, organza, net, etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments.
SHWET
SHWET founded in 2019, is an SHG-Led initiative,is a brand certified with Craftmark , issued by AIACA which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. Shwet is gradually integrating with women artisans and supporting them to remotely improve their Chikankari skills, an art form believed to have been introduced in India during the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is working on a large scale with peri-urban and slum dwellers, women artisans to improve their skills and livelihood, as well as hidden intervention on Gender-Based Violence. Shwet is enhancing the Chikankari skills of the artisans for producing a wide range of products including Women Chikankari Apparel, Kids Wear, Men’s Wear, and Home décor.
Bandhani
The word 'bandhani', also known as 'bandhej', is derived from the Sanskrit word bandh, to tie, a craft practiced in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is a resist dyeing process where the fabric is pinched and tied with thread before it is dyed to create a pattern made up of small dots. The thread is continuously wound from knot to knot without cutting. This enables the thread to be reused again a number of times. In Gujarat, the Bandhani work has been exclusively carried out by the Khatri community of Kutch and Saurashtra. A meter length of cloth can have thousands of tiny knots known as 'Bheendi' in the local language ('Gujarati'). These knots form a design once opened after dyeing in bright colors. Establishments of varying sizes in the entire Kutch belt in Gujarat produce many varieties. Traditionally, the final products can be classified into 'khombhi', 'Ghar Chola', 'Chandrakhani', 'Shikari', 'Chowkidaar', 'Ambadaal' and other categories
Nilak
Established by artisan designer Adil Khatri around 2013, Nilak is a label certified by Craftmark , issued by AIACA which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. Nilak specializes in the tie-dye technique of Bandhani, also known as Bandhej. Nilak is based in Bhuj, Gujarat. At Nilak, Adil’s designing, Bandhej and dyeing skills are combined with fine tying by highly skilled women artisans. Adil’s creations use a variety of natural fabrics with traditional and contemporary design inspirations. Nilak has also made a name for itself for the use of natural dyes in Bandhani. Nilak majorly works for the products such as Sarees, Dupattas and Stoles.
Block Print
The traditional process of hand block printing on textiles, with rich natural colors, has been practiced in Rajasthan for around 500 years. Block printing was introduced to the Jaipur region of Rajasthan by the Chhipa community located in the village of Bagru, an area famous for vegetable dyes and mud resist block prints. The art of block printing has been passed down for generations within families and communities. This is a one such technique, which involves carving a desired pattern or design on a wooden block, covering this block with ink or dye and then stamping it on the fabric. While blocks can be made up of stone; but for better results they are more commonly made from wood. Rajasthani prints like Bagru, Sanganer, tie & dye are not just normal prints but each of them speak about the passionate tradition of the crafts, colors and stories that have shaped lives and cultures in Rajasthan.
Awdhesh Kumar
Awdhesh Kumar is a printer of textiles, from the town of Sanganer in Rajasthan, certified with Craftmark, issued by AIACA which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. In 1971 he established AK Textiles to revitalise his ancestral work and inherited the skill of hand block printing. In 1994 the enterprise expanded into the area of exports. In a cluster known for its hand block printing, Awdhesh Kumar stands out for his fresh and quirky designs and majorly caters to Saris, Dupattas, Stoles, Yardage, Garments, Bedcovers, Quilts, Bags, Notebooks,
Batik
Batik is a textile dyeing method that is popularly used to create fabrics for clothing and household decor. This method is known as dye resistance, with the wax serving to shield certain areas from being exposed to the dye for a varied, crinkled look upon completion. Batik is historically the most expressive and subtle of all the resist methods. The ever-widening range of techniques available offers the artist the opportunity to explore a unique process in a flexible and very exciting way. The process of batik brings unexpected elements of surprise and delight
GCART
stands for Green Cart, established in 2017 by Mrs. Renuka Pal is an enterprise certified by Craftmark , issued by AIACA which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. GCART is trying to create market access for handloom products of West Bengal. At present, through the brand, GCART is trying to revive hand batik or wax craft of West Bengal. Mainly involving Sarees and Yardage.
Applique
Applique is an embroidery style that uses patches of fabric in different shapes and patterns to sew onto a larger piece of fabric to create a beautiful picture or pattern. The pieces can be cut from the same cloth, or they can be different-coloured fabrics that have been painted with dye. Origin of appliqué can be identified by the style of fabrication, color usage, composition and the forms of patterns used. Appliqué was originally used as decoration, but it became more common to use appliqué for strengthening fabrics and creating a design without painting the whole piece of cloth.
Sadhna
Sadhna is a social enterprise supported by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) which provides craft-based livelihood opportunities to women and ensures their overall well-being and empowerment. AIACA is facilitating various training programs including eco printing, zero waste, introduction of bamboo Fabrics, Design Development and other workshops to strengthen the internal systems to help them to become Sustainable.Over 600 artisan members from rural, tribal and urban poor communities of Udaipur and Rajsamand Districts of Rajasthan are connected to Sadhna. The embroidery technique has become a pathway of empowerment for many women across the Udaipur and Rajsamand districts of Rajasthan.
Kota Doria
Kota handloom weaving, erstwhile known as Kota Masuria, is a traditional craft that is mostly practised by the Ansari community.The term “Doria” translates to mean “thread” in English and aptly so. The lightweight, sheer fabric is achieved by fusing different beatings of cotton and silk yarns. Kota is also made in pure cotton.Ideally, each tiny square that makes the fabric comprises a total of 14 yarns. Out of these 14, 8 are of cotton, and 6 are of silk. This imparts unparalleled softness and strength from the cotton.The silk infuses the characteristic sheen and floaty sheerness to Kota Doria fabric.The tiny squares are known as “Khat”. Fine Kota Doria fabric features low yarn count which gives it the signature gossamer-like sheer texture and feather-light feel. Thus, making it perfect for the sultry Indian summers. Handloom weaving is the sole livelihood option for women weavers.
Kota Women Weavers
Kaithoon is a small town in the Kota district where Kota Doria is mainly woven. Kota Women Weavers is a group of 99 women weavers organised in 9 Self Help Groups (SHGs) from across Kaithoon. Of the 9 SHGs, Siddika SHG has been mutually selected by all the groups to play the lead facilitator, with support from AIACA. It is also registered under MSME and is Craftmark certified.
Brocade Handloom
The history of brocade is disputed, but it gained popularity during the Mughal era. Varanasi and other cities became known for their elaborate brocade work. The motifs on brocade often depict nature and the textile itself represents craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and luxury. Technically, any jacquard shuttle weaving that uses a supplementary or extra weft technique can be termed as a Brocade weave. Varanasi is well known for its different styles of weaving created to obtain patterns termed as brocade. The basic technique is to create a supplementary weft that overlays the woven cloth with its warp and weft as the base. The area without a pattern is skipped, revealing the base weave underneath.
VWAS
Varanasi Weavers and Artisans Society (VWAS) is a membership based organization of Varanasi handloom weavers and artisans formed by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Society(AIACA).It is an inclusive platform of the weavers and artisans themselves established to promote, continue and preserve authentic handloom weaves and crafts directly sourced from the producers. The Hub is certified by Craftmark certification, issued by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Society(AIACA) which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Society(AIACA) has facilitated the Society to take forward the cause of sustainable livelihood generation and socio – economic empowerment of the actual producers through capacity development, access to fair market share and promotion of the weavers and crafts persons. Additionally, it also ensures supply of genuine handloom weaves and handicrafts produced in a socially and environmentally responsible way for the conscious markets, national and international.
Toda
The Toda Embroidery, also locally known as "pukhoor", is an art work among the Toda pastoral people of Nilgiris, in Tamil Nadu, made exclusively by their women. The stitches are worked in lengthwise direction giving a geometric effect on the fabric using woolen threads. The embroidery which has a fine finish appears like a woven cloth but is made with the use of red and black threads with a white cotton cloth background, Though their favorite study is related to floral landscapes, the patterns used in Toda embroidery do not cover many floral motifs but generally cover celestial bodies (like Sun and Moon), reptiles, animals, and horns of buffaloes, made in crimson and black colors.
Toda Embroidery, Sikalnayakanpet
All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Society(AIACA) is working with 50 Toda women artisans, supporting their livelihood and enhancing their income by providing them capacity building, design development training, financial management and connecting them to the contemporary market.
Kwadi Weave
Kwadi is a type of Indian patchwork and embroidery that uses small pieces of fabric to create intricate designs. The pieces are then joined together using running stitches. This art form is known for its use of recycled materials and sustainability. The final product is a beautiful and unique work of art that showcases handmade craftsmanship.
Punarjeevana Trust
Punarjeevana Trust is Craftmark Certified, issued by AIACA which authenticates and certifies the craft processes in India. revives and sustains artisan crafts, heritage, and the environment. They empower destitute women with training in various crafts and offer unique and sustainable products. Their trademark Reversible zero-maintenance sarees are innovative and their artisans have received recognition and an award from the Craft of Council of India. Punarjeevana Trust is committed to using sustainable filers, colors, and processes and has been awarded Craftmark for all of its products.
Cross Stitch Embroidery
Cross stitch is a form of counted thread embroidery that has been around for ages, and it is one of the easiest forms of hand embroidery to learn. Cross stitch is composed of X-shaped stitches done on fabric with an even and open weave like Aida or linen. Designs can be traditional or modern or anywhere in between.
Kamli Tribes
Kamli tribes is a brand supported by All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) working for the socio-economic empowerment and self-reliance of women in the tribal communities through craft based livelihoods. About 200 artisans, most of whom are women, are associated with Kamli. These women belong to tribal communities around Udaipur. Udaipur has one of the highest tribal communities in Rajasthan. They are involved in the hand embroidery craft which is not traditional to the community but has been acquired through training as an income generation activity. The group is Craftmark certified.
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