Sutra Textile Studies, a non-profit society established in Kolkata is having a week-long series of events under the banner of ‘Sutra Indigo’ from the 9th through the 18th of November 2017, at the ICCR in Kolkata, These include seminars, demonstrations, exhibitions, a Grand Bazaar and for the first time in 100 years − an Indigo Auction!
The Grand Bazaar which is taking place from the 9th through the 11th of November is already a huge success with stalls on 2 levels at the ICCR. If you could brave the crowds which thronged the exhibition stalls, you were certainly in for a visual treat. The exquisite craftsmanship brought together by Sutra from weavers throughout the country was truly commendable.
Some of these included Kapaas Kolkata which displayed beautifully woven unstitched pleated fabrics with prints in tussar and matka silks, cotton and chanderis for dresses or kurtas accompanied by a range of saris. Saigon Nakhon brought with them a wide range of stoles, scarves and large wall hangings. Divya Sheth had stylishly draped dresses, kurtas, trousers, tops and jackets with zardozi embellishment fit for a night out. One of the crowd favorites with their scarves, saris, jackets and fabrics was Byloom and Royal Brocade had some exquisite brocade saris in Indigo.
Some of the others notables included Simon Marks, Weavers Studio, Avani, Aavaran Udaipur, Aranya Naturals, Maku, Living Blue, Love for the Loom, Karomi, Sasha, Parbat Kanji Vankar, Kashmir Looms, Sakhon Nakhon, Paromita Banerjee and Upasana.
The numerous crafts-persons had brought with them saris, kurtis, dresses, trousers, tops, skirts, jackets, potlis, scarves, cushion covers, bed linen, hand bags, wall hangings and yardage. All kinds of fabrics were utilized such as cotton, linen, silk and chanderi. There were indigo outfits with zardozi, kantha stitch, woven patterns, prints, pleated fabrics for a simple summer lunch with friends to saris which could be handed from mother-to-daughter as heirloom pieces. In other words, there was something for everyone. And all in shades and hues of indigo – from a deep midnight blue to a light almost bleached whitish blue.
Congratulations to Sutra for this tremendous effort and wonderful exhibitions. The only request is that for the next show, some changing rooms should be arranged on each floor for the comfort of customers to try on their choices.