"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
14 Jun 2017
Traditional weaves from India have made its way to a special exhibition curated by Google Arts and Culture called as ‘We Wear Culture’. This project is one of the largest virtual projects in a style that showcases 3,000 years of world fashion. The Baluchari and Jamdani sarees of the 19th century from Kolkata are selected for the exhibition. Overall 70 different styles across India have been selected which have maintained its fashion over the years and is also famous now in the modern era of fashion. These sarees are considered as classics in the world of Indian fashion. Indian Museum in Kolkata, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai are the museums which have contributed to the collections presented in the exhibition. Worldwide almost 180 museums have contributed in the museum. Coming from various regions in the country, few traditional handloom weaves from Nagaland, which is preserved, are also a part of the exhibition.
The exhibition also includes cloth worn by high status Naga warriors after head hunting. The online literature about this exhibition informs that the painted white band in the middle of the cloth is believed to signify the number of heads that are taken by the warrior.
Amit Sood, director of Google Arts & Culture said, "Everyone is invited to browse through the exhibition and learn the story behind what they wear. You may be surprised to find out that your jeans or the black dress in your wardrobe have a centuries-old story.”