Hey People! I am loving to write a blog on
Miharu’s latest creation: Baluchari Ties.
From the rural areas of Bishnupur, in West Bengal, Miharu
gets hand-loomed pure silk-weaved clothes. The process of weaving Baluchari
silk requires effort and time, and the weaves are only used in Indian Saris, which
are worn by a small minority.
As International Market gives heed to not only eye appealing and beautiful but also to usable products, the artisans can’t market their goods to proper cliental and face heavy loses. They are deserting the craft, and striving for finding a living.
This problem has only two solutions:
1.
Letting the craft decline and turning artisans to
different modes of livelihood.
2. Educating
artisans and helping them design sellable affordable and usable goods.
Miharu believes in the 2nd
solution.
For the past three years, Miharu is
helping artisans by designing, and marketing various Baluchari products and not
just Saris. Miharu has set up its own looms in Bishnupur, and is trying to
provide the local artisans with a livelihood.
Pure silk cloth with the
mythological weave has been converted to Lampshades, Clutches and Bags, Stoles and
dupattas which appealed to a lot of ladies…
.... But what about men?
Reviving of any craft firstly
requires breaking the stereotype that its gender specific. Therefore to create
Baluchari Corporate Goods for men, Miharu tried to make Neck-Ties.
Cotton silk with geometric baluchari weave by Bishnupur Artisans at
our looms, were converted into ties, by master tailor two days back. Team Miharu sat and drafted the whole tie, and monitored the tailoring.
Finished results were amazing!
I hope this effort help us spread
stories about the craft, and not let it die!
