Textile exhibition celebrates sustainable crafts heritage with support from royal Indian families

A new art exhibition chronicles Indian textiles, which are known to be sustainable. Called Karkhana Chronicles II, the online textile exhibit celebrates sustainability through heritage craft and opens a conversation on the revival of traditional knowledge and practices in the Indian fashion industry; Boutet de Monvel portraits of HH Maharaja Yeshwantrao II

1. 2 / 2/12Supported by The ReFashion Hub – a sustainability-focused initiative with a special emphasis on water stewardship – and the royal families of Indore, Kathiwada, Bhavnagar and Mysore, the installations have been digitally exhibited with imagery and videos launching on a specially commissioned microsite, and “advocate for fashion that is kinder to the climate, natural resources and the people engaged within this sector”. Akshita Bhanj Deo, the creative director of Karkhana Chronicles spoke how the Karkhana Chronicles II seeks to highlight heritage textile art that is not limited to its positive impact on the environment but also the exceptional quality and exclusivity in design that comes along with these textiles; Bhavnagar installation. (Source: PR Handout)

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   3 / 12″Concepts such as circularity that have come into contemporary discourse on sustainability are actually ideas that have organically existed within our traditional production systems for centuries. Through this exhibition, we invite discerning audiences of makers and consumers to engage with this rich legacy of craftsmanship and explore the potential within these traditional knowledge systems to create sustainable futures,” said Bhanj Deo; Kathiwada installation (Source: PR Handout)

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   4 / 12The project builds on Karkhana Chronicles I which launched in late 2020 showcasing three installations in collaboration with Maharani Priyadarshini Raje Scindia of Gwalior, Maharawal Chaitanya Raj Singh of Jaisalmer and Akshita Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj; Boutet de Monvel portraits of HH Maharaja Yeshwantrao II (Source: PR Handout)

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   5 / 12The collaboration between REHWA+WomenWeave and designer Sanjay Garg (Raw Mango) in ‘Indore Maheshwari, Bridging Worlds’ draws inspiration from iconic Boutet de Monvel portraits of HH Maharaja Yeshwantrao II and HH Maharani Sanyogitaraje Holkar. The installation presents the ‘Sanyogita’ saree, REHWA’s reinterpretation of the Maharani’s resplendent yellow Maheshwari saree shown in her portrait; Boutet de Monvel portraits of HH Maharani Sanyogitaraje Holkar. (Source:

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   6 / 12Sanjay Garg also presents a cape, inspired by the Maharaja’s tuxedo and woven by WomenWeave in Maheshwar. The installation demonstrates the versatility of Maheshwari weaving through the lens of one of India’s leading contemporary taste makers and creates an installation which pushes the boundaries of design and application while staying rooted in its history and heritage. (Source: PR Handout)

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   7 / 12Bhavnagar is renowned for its range of crafts, from artisanal brass and copper items to intricate silk textiles. The installation ‘Weaving Drapes: An Installation By Nilambag Palace And Bhavnagar Heritage’ supported by the Bhavnagar royal family, brings women weavers and beadmakers of Bhavnagar city, with brass and copper karigars of Sihor to create a vision that shows the range and versatility of traditional skills. (Source: PR Handout)

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   8 / 12Placed on a delicate silk textile, the installation presents a fine embroidery Chaniyo produced in the ‘bharat kaam’ technique; a traditional choli or khadi blouse; a bandhani cotton saree draped in the local kathiyawadi style and adorned with bead work jewellery, a famous craft of Bhavnagar. (Source: PR Handout)

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   9 / 12Conceptualised by the royal family of Kathiwada, the installation ‘Kathiwada – Where tradition and innovation meet’ explores innovation while being rooted to the traditional craft practices of the princely state. Through several elements, the installation interprets the use of historical textiles and weaving techniques with the aim to make it relevant to the current generation. (Source: PR Handout)

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   10 / 12The legacy of Kathiwada is demonstrated through Kasota weaves by the adivasis of Juna Kathiwada, hand block printing by award winning artists from Bagh, and Khaddar woven in Madhya Pradesh. It also adorns the royal costume Benarasi Brocade from Sangita Kathiwadas’ personal collection, further embellished with a contemporary rendition of tribal jewellery in metal and bead craft done by tribal women from the surrounding villages. (Source: PR Handout
   11 / 12Conceptualised by HH Yaduveer Wadiyar and his sister, Jayathmika Lakshmi, the installation ‘Mysore silks and Khadi – Innovation, Creativity and Style’ from Mysore incorporates silks and Khadi, in a sculptural piece of a styled sari and jacket. The beauty and symbolism of Mysore’s textile heritage and sustainability message is highlighted by a third component- the Navalgund Dhurrie, a style of weaving that dates back to the Vijaynagar empire and is woven exclusively by women. (Source: PR Handout)

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  The Navalgund Dhurrie craft is rapidly dwindling with less than 50 weavers still carrying forth this unique technique. Mysore’s legacy with textiles continues with contemporary initiatives supporting Khadi and weaving units that use indigenous cotton – thereby revitalising sustainable value chain models. (Source: PR Handout)