DELHI’S NEW TEXTILE GALLERY SHOWCASES INDIA’S CRAFT LEGACY

As the textile world evolves, there is a growing passion for preserving and revitalising India’s ancient crafts. This commitment ensures that these extraordinary skills, passed down through generations, remain a vibrant part of our cultural heritage. Textile art, while deeply rooted in history, is also forward-looking. It blends past and present, creating a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation. Today, art enthusiasts have a fresh platform to explore and reflect on this fascinating journey, where tradition intersects with modernity.

Delhi’s art scene is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes a new treasure with the launch of the Indian Textile Gallery II– “Tradition & Innovation” that opened to the public at the Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on August 8, 2024. It is a venue mapping the fascinating routes through time and the ingenuity of the Indian handicrafts.

Inaugurated by Hon’ble Ministers Shri Giriraj Singh and Sh. Pabitra Margherita, the gallery is set to celebrate the artisanship genius of the Indian textile and craftsmakers. The show is curated by Sunil Sethi, President of the Fashion Design Council of India, and renowned art historian Dr. Jyotindra Jain.

The FDCI Chairman, Sunil Sethi, emphasised, “I was delighted that the FDCI got an opportunity to set up this exhibition. It took us over eight months to sift through the mammoth number of vintage artefacts and see which ones would fall into a distinct narrative. The most remarkable and innovative textiles, the sheer beauty of handwork, and design thinking can be seen in this exhibit”.

The fabric speaks of its ingenuity to spectators, continually intertwining contemporary threads with historical roots. India has been globally applauded for its textile evolution — from its beginnings in the fifth century during the Indus Valley Civilisation to its ever-experimental high-end fashion, which adds a modernist tint to the country’s cultural craft. This evolution stands as a testimony to the progress of human civilization, connecting strands of history, culture, and innovation.

The gallery invites guests to explore the intricate artistry and cultural significance of Indian fabrics. It encourages a fresh perspective on both perseverance and the reimagining of the rich legacy the country upholds — from textures and materials to colours and style, from ancient aesthetics to contemporary narratives that define India’s deeply ingrained cultural fabric.

The gallery space itself is a work of modern art, complementing the aesthetic textile designs and materials. It offers a vintage display with lighting that enhances the authenticity of the fabrics. Every thread, with each stitch, speaks of the ingenuity and greatness of its roots.

Top-notch weaves, including the fine artistry of block prints, the exquisite beauty of brocades, and the rich tale of Kalamkari, among many other cultural fabrics, captivate the public’s eye. Viswakarma artisans and other craftspeople narrate their creative language, engraving an unforgettable tale of India’s rich cultural crafts that stand out globally, offering a unique perspective on the development of the nation’s textile arts and its colourful history — a legacy the fashion world will remember.

Every three months, new pieces will be added to one of the gallery’s sections, reimagining traditional textiles for contemporary use. Currently on display is a retrospective by the renowned designer Payal Jain, who has played a significant role in balancing craft and sustainability. “Soul of a Woman” epitomises the spirit of womanhood in its essence and beauty, narrating tales of love, loss, triumph, and endurance. The installation reflects the dedication of the Bharat textile community to the growth of the textile industry. Jain aspires to create textile art that represents the intimate journey of women’s emotions — joys, sorrows, love, loss, success, and failures. Incorporating materials such as ghungroos, beads, thimbles, wood, metal, papers, shell buttons, and bobbins, she playfully embraces the traditional with the contemporary, infusing her soul into her craft and leaving spectators in awe of her ever-evolving wonders.