Explore the “Fabric of Life”

Take a peek into the lives of the weavers through a short video scripted and directed by the weavers of Kutch, Gujarat, a photo story via images clicked by the weavers themselves, followed by a discussion with Pallavi Gaur who facilitated this project. The discussion will be mediated by Benson Isaac, a professor of Azim Premji University and Pallavi’s mentor on this project. There will be some weaving patterns on display, come join us to know the story behind them.

Event 1: 
When: 26th April 2016, 7:00PM
Where: Paradigm Shift, #8, 80 Feet Road, 4th Block Koramangala, Near Sony World Signal
Duration: 60minutes
Contact: 9741188993

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1076356119074538/

Event 2: 
When: 03rd May 2016, 6:45PM
Where: NUMA, 6th Floor, 46/1, Church Street, Opposite Hotel Empire
Duration: 60minutes
Contact: 9741188993

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1592626944387348/

Event Synopsis:
This event aims to create consciousness around our patterns of consumption. Handloom is perceived to be primitive technology not efficient enough to support increased demand and this so perceived sunset industry today employees more than 4 million by conservative estimates and up to 20 million by other.

Handloom is the second largest employer after agriculture. In this industrialized era weavers are constantly serving the needs of the consumers. We have seen how entire weaving traditions end when weavers family fails to reach out to market. The role of markets and us as consumers is inevitably significant. The story doesn’t end there. The markets for the handloom produce have been shifting from rural areas to urban spaces.

This event intends to intrigue us about our role as a consumer. Market spaces have provided us with multiple choices to buy a certain form of cloths above others. It aims to put forth the less talked about importance of clothing. As conscious consumers are we well informed about our choices. The event would contribute in creating the consciousness about our sartorial choices. What we choose to wear is a political choice.

About the Film:
The film is scripted and directed by the weavers of Kutch, Gujarat, on the evolution of their tradition of hand-weaving. Its called ‘A life in threads’ which is named by the weavers. This film showcases the many transitions in weaving patterns that came about as a result of changes in the lives of a family of weavers in Kutch, Gujarat. Three generations of weavers talk about the dynamic relationship between markets and traditional crafts. The film reflects upon the nuanced understanding of weavers about their changing circumstances.

About the facilitator:
Pallavi is currently pursuing her MA in Development at Azim Premji University. She loves handloom and is dismayed by the manner in which it is slowly being pushed to the brink of extinction as a result of the politics of clothing and the dynamics of the market.
For this project she worked with a family of weavers in Kutch, Gujarat on a film that was completely scripted, directed and shot by them.
Through this project she hopes to bring out the voice of the weavers; place the director’s lens in their hands; encourage them to shift the angle with which they look at their own lives. While living in urban cities we often tend to distance our association with the lives of several artisans whose existence is extremely valuable to us. This film seeks to initiate a dialogue on the way in which our personal clothing choices mould the fates and fortunes of these master artisans.

Hoping to see you at the event. Please share and invite your friends to the event.