“The artisan and master weavers of our country are continually finding ways to incorporate contemporary ideas into their creations, ensuring that the richness of our traditional weaving heritage remains alive and relevant. However, saleability and effective marketing continue to be significant challenges that these artisans must navigate,” says Delhi-based textile connoisseur Rupa Sood.
Through Nayaab, founded in 2015, Rupa has built a community of over 150 designers and craftspeople dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating India’s rich textile traditions and exceptional craftsmanship. Over the years, it has presented a wide range of crafts and heritage weaving techniques, including jamdani, Benarasi, ikat, shibori, kantha and block printing, at its exhibitions across India.
Now, Nayaab comes to Chennai on August 7 and 8 with a mission to present Indian textiles in a contemporary context. “Our focus has always been on working with designers who are reviving diminishing art forms, crafts and weaving traditions, while translating these age-old techniques into contemporary designs and products,” says Rupa.
Among the featured designers is Urvashi Kaur, whose Renew Project explores the future of textiles through handwoven tussar silk, shibori and leheriya techniques. By repurposing heirloom Benarasi textiles into contemporary fabrics and garments, the project extends the life of these treasured weaves through sustainable design.
