"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#handloom

Star Citizens

Revolutionizing North Eastern Fashion: The Journey of 'The S Way'

North East India is renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes and scenic beauty, but also for its cultural diversity and mouth watering cuisines. However, amid this allure, the exceptional artistry of handloom craftsmanship and clothing designs from this area remained largely undiscovered on a national scale. Enterprising entrepreneur Mrs. Sampriti Goswami envisioned a transformative movement and launched "The S Way" - an e-commerce platform with a mission to integrate the beauty of North Eastern handloom into wardrobes across the country. This visionary initiative aimed not just to promote fashion but to empower local artisans and weavers, transforming their livelihoods. Mrs. Goswami, deeply rooted in Assamese culture, left a corporate career driven by a profound desire to contribute to her homeland. She identified a void in the market - a lack of region-specific, yet universally appealing, handloom designs. Her research uncovered a vast untapped market for contemporary and affordable creations derived from North Eastern handloom, laying the foundation for 'The S Way.' The journey wasn't without challenges. Securing authentic handloom fabric amidst the pandemic-induced shifts in weavers' livelihoods and countering design piracy were formidable hurdles. Yet, 'The S Way' persevered, engaging over 400 weavers and nearly 20 tailors, providing steady incomes, refining skills, and uplifting tribal Self Help Groups. "I'm immensely proud of the transformative impact on the lives of these artisans," Mrs. Goswami states. "Being able to uplift others has been the most fulfilling part of this journey." 'The S Way' stands not just as a fashion pioneer but as a beacon of socio-economic empowerment, weaving a tapestry of tradition, innovation, and livelihood enhancement across North East India.

22 Nov 2023
Star Citizens

Sircilla Saree Weaver's Exceptional Skill Wins Hearts and Orders

In the town of Sircilla, Telangana, a saree weaver named Nalla Vijay has garnered immense admiration and received numerous orders for his extraordinary craftsmanship. Vijay, a torchbearer of his father's weaving legacy, has taken the art of saree weaving to new heights, capturing the hearts of many with his exceptional skills. Using a handloom in his small shed near Sircilla town's bus station, Vijay has woven a saree using 27 different herbs, filling the air with a captivating fragrance. His creations range from a jari saree made of gold and silver threads to a color-changing saree valued at Rs 2.08 lakh. Currently, Vijay is working on a reflective saree made with half-a-kilogram of gold, estimated to cost Rs 25 lakh. Vijay's relentless pursuit of excellence has led him to weave unique designs that are not readily available in the market. His skills have attracted orders from renowned personalities within the state and beyond. Recognizing his contributions, the State government honored him with the prestigious Cheneta Kala Ratna award, presented personally by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Vijay's craftsmanship has even gained international recognition. He had the privilege of presenting a finely woven shawl and saree to former US President Barack Obama and his spouse, Michelle Obama, courtesy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With his remarkable talent and dedication, Vijay continues to elevate the art of saree weaving. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring weavers and showcases the rich heritage of Indian artisans. The world eagerly awaits the unveiling of his reflective saree, a testament to his extraordinary skill and creativity.

21 Oct 2023
Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Odisha's Ahimsa Silk Project Revolutionizes Silk Production with a Cruelty-Free Approach

In a groundbreaking initiative, the state of Odisha in India has pioneered the Ahimsa Silk project, offering an eco-friendly and humane alternative to traditional silk production methods. The project, spearheaded by the department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, aims to eliminate the need for boiling silkworms alive during the silk-making process. Traditionally, silk production involved extracting silk from cocoons by boiling them with live worms inside. However, the Ahimsa Silk project adopts a non-violent approach, allowing the silkworms to complete their natural life cycle. Silkworms are reared on castor leaves for 18 to 20 days until they reach their final size. Subsequently, they create cocoons over a period of 9 to 10 days and later transform into moths. Once the moths emerge from the cocoons, the silk extraction process begins. The innovative method involves softening the sericin, a protein that binds the silk filament, and carefully unwinding the strands. The delicate silk strands are then twisted together to form yarn. By bypassing the traditional reeling method that involves boiling silkworms, the Ahimsa Silk project ensures a cruelty-free production process. During the pilot phase of the project, 700 farmers across five districts participated, surpassing expectations by producing 82 quintals of cocoons. The success has prompted plans to expand the project to involve 3,000 farmers this year and eventually reach 12,000 farmers in the coming years. The first batch of Ahimsa Silk yarn was used to weave the Geeta Govinda Khandua Pata, a sacred fabric used to dress the deities at the renowned Shree Jagannath temple in Puri. By embracing this ethical approach to silk production, Odisha not only promotes sustainability and compassion but also supports the livelihood of local weavers and establishes a new brand of handwoven fabrics.

5 Sep 2023
Positive Reads

11th Century Craft of Patola Sarees Have Been Kept Alive by This Family in Gujarat

The eye-catching and vibrant Patola sarees are made by an ancient craft that existed as early as the 11th century. The Salve family in Patan is the pioneer of this tradition and has been carrying on the tradition of this craftwork for centuries. The Salves are one of the 700 families of Patola weavers that migrated from Jalna (Maharashtra) to settle in Patan in North Gujarat under King Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty. In an interview with ANI, 68-year-old Bharat Salve said that the Patola saree doesn’t carry a printed design. The design is created by the tie and dye technique which is very intricately done. He added that they continue to use traditional natural dyes. The cost of the saree may raise many eyebrows. An authentic Patola saree starts from ₹1.5 lakh and can cost up to ₹6 lakh depending on the intricacies. However, the effort that goes into making the saree justifies the cost. The saree is prepared through around 18–19 procedures and takes about six months. According to Salve, the raw silk is purchased from Bengaluru and then is put through several steps, including bleaching and softening. On average, 4-5 colors are used on the saree, and the complexity of the designs and the number of colors used to determine how long it takes to make a saree. Rahul Salve who has mastered the craft over 22 years states that currently, there are cheaper Patola sarees available in the market, but one needs to understand that genuine Patola sarees cannot be made cheap. The Salve family was exhilarated when during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a Patola saree manufactured by the Salve family to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This brought attention to the renowned Patola handloom of Gujarat.  

29 Nov 2022
Positive Reads

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