There is something about handwoven sarees that makes every woman want to own a piece. With every zari and thread having a story to tell, it’s hard not to fall into the clutches of this elegant fabric.
We are talking about the Conjuring up a picture of royal elegance and once a privilege of the royalty, the magnificient Maheshwari saree finds mention in premeire Sanskrit literature (Rig Veda) and also in a heroic poem in Mahabharata.
An exclusive selection of hand embroidered saris in Maheshwaris inspired by foliage and designed by Sunanda Dawar was recently on display
in the city.
The collection called ‘Utsav ke Rang’ is about an exclusive festive collection by Rehwa (a quarter-century-old not-for-profit foundation, was created by the royal Holkar family of Indore Maharajah) with a vibrant colour palette consisting of reds, oranges, peacock blues, forest green, indigo and fuschias which comprises textiles like beautiful hand embroidered saris, dupattas and fabric.
“The colours of nature are one of the major inspirations. The architecture of Maheshwar where the textile is woven is majorly geometric,” says Sunanda.
Speaking of its history, she says, “Maheshwari is a fine cotton-silk blended handloom fabric which originated from Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh back in the 2nd century. Just like Maheshwari, we have Chanderi, Paithani, Asavalis, Patolas, Benarasi and many others with a rich history.” Are the culturally rich weaving communities producing them on the brink of extinction in our country? Sunanda doesn’t entirely agree. “At one time I would have agreed with the above. Maheshwar and Chanderi on which I can comment currently are doing quite well for themselves. Weaving is the major source of income and each weaver in Rehwa is able to earn between `2500 and `4000 per month.”
The proceeds of Rehwa’s sales go towards supporting education, health care and housing for the weavers of Maheshwar.
At present, the profits earned from the sale of the textiles are majorly directed towards running a school for the children of Maheshwar. Some of these children are the weaver's children and they also have a facility where a doctor visits the weavers community at regular intervals.
Each sari woven by a weaver can have the label which mentions their name and the area where they weave. Rehwa is planning to do the same for the weavers who painstakingly weave a sari, but without getting the recognition they deserve.
One can wear a Maheshwari saree to work or an evening out. It can serve th purpose of both professional and social look.
Though most of the motifs on a Maheshwari fabric is geometric, including the chatai (woven mat pattern), Iinth (brick pattern), hira (diamond pattern) and chameli ki phool (the chameli flower) pattern, the designs have evolved over the years.
Sunanda adds, “Certain sizes of the border which looked good earlier works well now if reduced.The minimalistic design sense works well.” So, if you want to feel like royalty, go ahead and drape this piece of history.
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