Chanderi Saris draw crowd at MP Handicraft & Handloom exhibition
By Nandu Andhare : South Central Zone Cultural Centre Nagpur and Madhya Pradesh Handicraft and Handloom have organised an interesting exhibition at the SCZCC premises. Speaking to The Hitavada, Regional Manager M C Sharma of MP Handicraft and Handloom Gram Udyog of Madhya Pradesh explained the idea of promoting some of the finest of works done by award winning weavers, by displaying their handiwork. He introduced Mira Baksh Abdul Hakim ‘Khalifa’ an eminent artist in weaving, whose handiwork has been sought after by film Industry.
“I have supplied the famous ‘Ashrafi Dupattas’ made of half silk and half cotton, to Kamaal Amrohi for his film ‘Pakeeza’ not knowing who was supposed to use these. When I saw the film, I was amazed in seeing actor Meena Kumari using them in the song ‘Inhi Logo Ne’, explained Abdul Hakim with pride. Age has caught on with the celebrity artist but he continues to oversee his disciples carrying on the rich tradition. “Now I make Jugnu Buti in Chanderi (kataan) a fine piece of cloth.” he said. Abdul Hakim has been honoured by Government of Madhya Pradesh with the prestigious Vishwakarma Award.
In 2011, actor Kareena Kapoor placed an order for a Chanderi Sari with Tabiz Buti and this Sari became famous and is known as ‘Kareena Pallu’. Another young and talented artist in weaving is Zahin Qurashi, who was invited by NEFT Fashion technology for making suggestions in making improvements in Chanderi Saris. He is in demand today for Chanderi Saris. “One of my Saris has been selected by Anushka Sharma, wife of Indian Cricket Captain Virat Kohli,” he informed. He displayed a Sari quite similar to what Anushka had purchased. It was truly a master piece.
Asked about the art he has mastered and Zahin softly stated “the art has come to me from my forefathers. We are sixth generation of weavers and artists in the business. My forefathers made ‘Pagdis’ (turbans) for the Royal members of the family in Resham,” he says with pride. Sharma, took the scribe to several stalls that displayed Varakoni Malwari Silk, which was used by the erstwhile Maharani of Mandla, Rupwati. “Devangan community do the weaving on this soft and smooth cloth. Sharma mentioned about the village Chanderi, that makes these Saris. It was during the advent of Ala-ud-din Khilji in the year 1305 AD when about 20,000 weavers from ‘Lakhnoti’ in Dhaka (Now Bangladesh, migrated to Chanderi as followers of Maulana Majibuddin Uluf.
“Dhake Ki Malmal is famous,” he pointed out. Besides the usual stalls of handicraft in Metal ware, the exhibition has trinkets for ladies, wooden toys for children and plenty of material for women of all ages who love Kurtis, plazo to Silk Saris, Batik Prints made famous by Artists Firoz Jahan and Afroz Jahan. There is Ahmed Hussain Ansari, who supplied a Silk Sari to actor Vidya Balan. Chanderis in attractive hues and Maheshwaris are in plenty. The exhibition has beautiful brass idols of Ganesha, Radha Krishna, a sitting ‘Nandi Bull’, decorative flowers. It will conclude on September 5.
