Rajasthan has been in the news ever since the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje launched the ‘Resurgent Rajasthan’ initiative to boost the State. On the 18th November, 2015, the Khadi Board and Government of Rajasthan in association with Prasad Bidapa Associates announced the launch of the first edition of‘Rajasthan Heritage Week’ today, at the Bikaner House in New Delhi. The event celebrates Handmade in Rajasthan. The three day fashion extravaganza highlighting modern luxury and beauty of heritage textiles is scheduled to be held from 3rd December to 5th December, 2015 in Jaipur. In a unique endeavor to revive the glory of Khadi, legendary artisans, designers and fashion czars will come in unison in Jaipur to revel the historical fabric. The event will feature a host of top notch designers from India and abroad including Ritu Kumar, Bibi Russel, Abraham & Thakore and Hemant Trivedi who have worked alongside award-winning artisans to showcase their intricate designs and artistry using heritage fabrics.
Speaking on the occasion, the Key Promoter of the event, the Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ms. Vasundhara Raje said, “The Rajasthan Heritage Week is a part of the Textile Development Program that reaffirms our commitment to the traditional textile weavers of our State. From the weavers of the stunningly beautiful Kota Doria sarees and saafas to the thousands of Textile Weavers, Printers, Dyers and Artisans who give Rajasthan its unique identity and vibrancy, we are committed to the promotion of our textiles and crafts to a Global Audience.” She went to add, “We have now engaged leading national and international designers to work with our weavers in building the brand of ‘Handmade in Rajasthan’. We are determined to give our Khadi and Handloom the tag of Luxury, which it very rightly deserves. Every piece of fabric woven by hand represents the spirituality of the Fabric of Freedom, a Gandhian philosophy that should now create increased employment, success and a better quality of life for every artisan in our State.”
Mr. Rajeeva Swarup, Principal Secretary, MSME, and Govt. of Rajasthan said, “Rajasthan Heritage Week will be presented annually, and both local and other designers will continue to work throughout the year on specific projects. We hope that in time it will become one of the most significant events of the Indian Fashion Calendar.” Bangladeshi designer Ms Bibi Russell, who has earned much acclaim for her work with the weavers and artisans in her country, said, “In Bangladesh and in other parts of the world, “Fashion for Development” has helped the artisan community to prosper and it’s made a sustainable development and a better livelihood for them. In Rajasthan, I have had the privilege of working with Khadi, Kota and other crafts. I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of this great endeavour and very much looking forward to this Heritage Week.”
Ms. Malvika Singh, Co-chair, sub-group in Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan, said, “This project was conceptualized to benefit the Textile Artisans of Rajasthan in a manner that would create intervention without interference. Rajasthan has one of the richest fabric and embellishment craft forms in India, and the integration of these ancient and beautiful techniques into the work of the contemporary Fashion Designers was a mission that could only benefit both. Our Artisans have as much to teach the participating Designers, as they have to learn; to modernize and create a contemporary narrative of their design that can dazzle the world with its intricacy and ancient precision.”
The Organizer and Chief Creative Director of the project, Mr. Prasad Bidapa said, “In the same way that the Irish made a Global Statement with their linen, India needs to brand its Khadi and Handloom masterpieces and position them as true luxury that is rare and unique. The infinite varieties of our textiles and embellishments are myriad and lend themselves to a vast range of products. A new generation has to be educated and inculcated with the importance of the Handmade Arts of India. For too long, Khadi has been relegated to the shelves of uninspiring stores and had lost its importance as the fabric that won us our Freedom. It is time to make our youth & the World understand that this is the Fabric of the Future, with the potential to make an important Fashion Statement internationally, season after season.”
Tags :Khadi, Rajasthan, Rajasthan Heritage Week, Prasad Bidapa, Bikaner House, Jaipur, Handmade in Rajasthan
