On 25th February, 2016, the National Museum in New Delhi formally inaugurated an exclusive exhibition titled ‘AtootDor’- Unbroken Thread, in collaboration with India Foundation for the Arts, Bangalore. The exhibit highlights the ongoing dialogue between museum artifacts, living traditions and popular culture, by showcasing a range of Banarasi saris from private & designer collections. These saris are being presented both as textiles for personal adornment and as cultural artifacts produced, circulated and appreciated at home and in the world.
The highlight of the exhibition was an exclusive range of products on display by designer Ritu Kumar, while tracing their origins, repertoire and contemporary expressions. Showcase included traditional pink brocade sari, choli with gold work, churidars and lehanga–choli set with brocade work by ‘Banarasi Weaves’. These products are presented both as textiles for personal adornment and as cultural artifacts produced, circulated and appreciated globally.
The curators of this event were Abeer Gupta, Suchitra Balasubramanyam and Dr. AnamikaPathak. The exhibition has over 100 objects on display under 6 sections including artifacts from the private collections. These products are presented both as textiles for personal adornment and as cultural artifacts produced, circulated and appreciated globally.
Commenting on the Banarsi brocade, Ritu Kumar said, “The weaves of Banaras are the only surviving textiles in the world, where the skills of the master weavers create handlooms which are a true statement of the bespoke garment. These weaves and textiles are the most haute couture of all. Banaras weaves are almost like a monument worth preserving, like no other in the world. I am happy to support and be a part of the revivalist projects centered round the traditional crafts and textiles of India.”