Delhi: Sarees of India opens with 22 handloom stalls

Twenty-two stalls of saris from weaving traditions across India have opened at Aga Khan Hall, Bhagwan Das Road, for the Delhi Crafts Council’s 22nd Sarees of India exhibition.

Running from October 15 to 17, the show includes Benaras, bandhej and ajrakh work, khun weaves from Karnataka and textiles from Odisha. The council has limited the selection to sari makers and producers, rather than sellers of fabrics, dupattas or stitched garments.

This year’s theme, “Innovating Tradition”, also makes room for newer work with weaving clusters. A revival-sari presentation features four initiatives, including INTACH’s work on the Puneri sari; efforts to revive the Sausar cotton sari of Maharashtra’s Nagpur region; and Awadhi designs recreated through Bengal’s jamdani tradition.

The annual Sutrakar Samman is slated to go to Vijay Kumar Tanti of Nepura village in Bihar’s Nalanda district for his work with the bawan buti tradition, known for 52 woven motifs including lotus flowers, fish, stupas and the dharmachakra. Designer and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali will present the certificate and cash prize.

The exhibition is open from 11am to 7pm until October 17.