Saris: Traditions and Beyond
Rta Kapur Chishti, Martand Singh and Renuka Kelkar
Saris: Tradition and Beyond, the most comprehensive exploration of this remarkable unstitched garment, returns in a revised and expanded edition. Travelling district by district, village by village, the book explores an entire spectrum of traditional weaver and printer settlements in 16 sari-producing states of India. It examines the many identities of the people – geographical, social, cultural and economical – in relation to how they wear the sari.
The sari is the most representative apparel of India that has intrigued men and tempted women all over the world. Worn in a variety of ways, it is a fabric-length of varying densities in its body, borders, and end-pieces often woven by combining a range of cottons and silks in colours and patterns that are constantly evolving.
Produced after years of research, this book illustrates the vibrancy and splendour of this age–old garment through extensive documentation and stunning photographs. A vivid account of how saris come into being for the lay reader and the specialist, who will find this book equally engaging. Rta Kapur Chishti is the co-author and editor of previously published Saris of India volumes on Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal as well as Handcrafted Indian Textiles: Tradition and Beyond. She is the founder of the label ‘Taanbaan’ which produces saris and organized workshops for those who wish to learn the wonders of this unstitched garment and make it more relevant to their lives today.
Martand Singh (1947–2017) was the Chairman of INTACH U.K. Trust, the Director of Calico Museum of Textiles, and initiator and curator of the Vishvakarma series of exhibitions. He has inspired at least three generations of scholars, textile artists, designers, craftpersons, and students to develop their latent talents to create the finest in design, technique, and aesthetics in the contemporary context.
Renuka Kelkar began her career as a management executive with the Taj group. She went on to develop an understanding and a business in handloom textiles by the name of Indigo. She trained as a photographer in New York and New Delhi with a special interest in textiles.
Size Guide
×
Trending Now
