Kalia, Anjali
Nestling in rural Bengal, amidst the verdant paddy fields punctuated by picturesque pukurs (ponds) and grandiose antiquity, are entire weaver villages engaged in creating the equivalent of poetry on fabric. Triumphing over the trauma of partition, weaver families, which migrated to West Bengal in the 1950’s, have helped keep alive a priceless heritage of highly stylised weaving techniques honed over generations. | |
The handloom industry in the eastern region has had its share of bumpy rides, but Bengal handlooms have survived the ups and downs to become a household name among connoisseurs of handloom. |
Mr.S.K. Ghosh, ex director, D.C. handlooms, currently functioning as a consultant and resource person for the Handloom Cluster Development Scheme, accompanied me as a sensitive guide, specialist and activist, on my journey to discover the real face of handloom in Bengal and to gauge the response of weavers with regard to the new Cluster Development Scheme launched by the union government. | |