The much-anticipated exhibition Textiles from Bengal: A Shared Legacy opened its doors at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, offering a profound exploration of Bengal’s textile heritage. Conceptualized
and directed by Weavers Studio Resource Centre (WSRC), this exhibition traces the region’s rich legacy, from the Mughal era to the partition of Bengal into West Bengal and Bangladesh.
A Grand Opening and Symposium
The afternoon saw Darshan Mekani Shah talk about what compelled her to put this mammoth exhibit and symposium together whilst also celebrating all those along the way who have helped conserve, preserve and carry on the legacy of the crafts of Bengal. Joining her in talking in detail about the
relevance of this project were curator Mayank Manshigh Kaul, Dr Sonia Ashmore, Sangita Jindal and several others.
Accompanying the exhibit is a publication by Mapin Publishing, Textiles from Bengal: A Shared Legacy, available at the venue and major bookstores. This book provides a deeper dive into the themes and artefacts showcased.
The afternoon say WSRC alongwith film doyen Aparna Sen, Artists Jayshree Burman and Paresh Maity celebrate and award visionary craftspeople such as Ruby Palchouduri, and Hariprada Basak along with:
- Bishakha Basak (Processor of Cotton Yarn, Fulia)
- Gourango Basak (Master Weaver of Tangail Sari, Fulia)
- Kanan Bhattacharya (Hand Batik Artist, Santiniketan)
- Itu Mondal (Silk Spinner, Tantipara)
- Tapas Datta (Hand-Card Puncher, Bishnupur)
- Mohammad Abdus Salam (Master Weaver of Cotton and Silk Saris,
Sirajganj, Bangladesh) [Award received by Chandra Shekhar Shaha] - Mohammad Kutub Uddin (Master Weaver of Banarasi Sari, Mirpur,
Bangladesh) [Award received by Chandra Shekhar Shaha] - Asghar Ali (Master Dyer, Weavers Studio, Kolkata)
The launch will be followed by a two-day symposium (31st January – 1st February 2025), featuring prominent speakers, including textile historians, conservationists, and cultural experts. The discussions delved into the history, techniques, and socio-political narratives that have shaped Bengal’s textile traditions, enriching the experience for attendees.
Exhibition Highlights
Visitors are immersed in an array of iconic textile traditions such as muslins, kantha, jamdani, Indo-Portuguese embroideries, and Haji rumals. Rarely seen artefacts from WSRC’s archives, meticulously conserved and displayed, illuminate the region’s global trade history and artistic resilience.
Curator Mayank Mansingh Kaul noted, “This exhibition expands the narrative beyond the celebrated kantha and jamdani, revealing the multifaceted contributions of Bengal’s artisans to global textile culture.”
Darshan Shah, Project Director and Founder of WSRC, emphasized, “For nearly three decades, our Textile Study Centre has preserved Bengal’s textile legacy. This exhibit reignites the dialogue around these traditions and their future inacademic and commercial spheres.”
Art conservationist Anupam Sah reflected, “Every crease and repair tells a story. Through conservation, we honour these narratives while preserving the textiles for future generations.”
Collaboration and Support
The initiative is presented by BRAC Enterprises & JSW Foundation, supported by Garden Vareli, Obeetee Carpets, Salarpuria, APJ Surrendra, Gaurang, Swami Dayananda Educational Trust and Manyavar. Their contributions underscore the importance of safeguarding Bengal’s cultural and artistic heritage.
