About Baluchari
Weavers Studio Resource Centre (WSRC), Kolkata in collaboration with the National Museum, New Delhi will be mounting an exhibition on the historic Baluchar textiles of Bengal in February 2019 at the Museum. This international seminar in collaboration with National Museum and Craft Revival Trust will bring together experts, weavers and Baluchar stakeholders to discuss the key issues that surround this historic textile and its continuities in 21st century. We are in addition expecting an interested and keen audience to attend. The seminar will be held on 9th February (Saturday), 2019 at the National Museum auditorium in New Delhi.
The exhibition will showcase never seen collections including that of National Museum, Crafts Museum as well as textiles from prominent private collectors. This three-hundred-old weaving tradition known for its unique pictorial representation inspired by the prevailing socio-cultural and artistic conditions began in the Nawabicentre of Murshidabad. Over time, this art form disappeared only to be revived in Bishnupur and Varanasi. Despite differing in material, technique and aesthetics, the newer tradition was a continuation of the unique heritage.
The exhibition will ensure a holistic understanding of this textile tradition including placing it within its historical and socio-cultural context, dissecting its designs and motifs while drawing comparisons to relevant art forms, understanding the materials and complex techniques used in weaving as well as highlighting its current status.
un The interactive exhibition will be aided by an audio-visual display, live demonstrations on the looms by weavers to showcase the intricate process of weaving Baluchar saris. In addition, a series of events will accompany the exhibition including an International Seminar with prominent scholars, curators and textile experts discussing the Baluchar traditions, curated walk-throughs and activities. The exhibition aims to appeal to a diverse audience and educate them on the various aspects and contexts of Baluchar textile.
WEAVERS STUDIO AND WEAVERS STUDIO RESOURCE CENTRE
Weavers Studio was established on December 7th, 1993 as a textile company with a mission statement “to use as many hands as possible”. Weavers Studio has a textile retail shop in Kolkata India, a production unit RANGEEN and an export arm VEDA COMMERCIAL PVT LTD which presents handcrafted textiles of India, with a focus on Bengal.
In the past 23 years, the textile study center of Weavers Studio has collected 2500 old and rare textiles with a focus on Bengal, India, South East Asia, Japan, Africa and important trade textiles. Additionally 3000 books, journals, catalogs, magazines, short films and documentaries, on textiles and the arts are part of the collection.
To bring the collection to the public domain Weavers Studio Resource Centre was registered as a not for profit trust and was inaugurated on November 1, 2007. The Resource Centre aims to educate, build awareness towards our textile history, culture and work on revival projects, archiving, documentation, conservation, restoration, educational activities through exhibitions, seminars, field trips and important publications.
Baluchari
We are initiating a series of projects through the Weavers Studio on the Baluchari. Through this, some of the finest pieces of Baluchari textiles will be presented through an exhibition, publication, seminar and other relevant events. Attempting to draw attention to its various creative, technical and social aspects, it is accompanied by a revival project to develop contemporary