V&A's India Festival
Fabric of India exhibition showcases every aspect of this country's vast and vibrant culture using its biggest export and liberator - cloth.
My love affair with India started a long time ago and visiting last year just whet my appetite for all things Indian (I'm not just talking curry). So I was desperate to visit the V&A India Festival. And it did not disappoint.
This exhibition took you through dying of materials, manufacturing of clothes from boll/worm to cotton/silk. Then the painstaking method of making printing blocks and weaving to create the most beautiful and crucial garments. From wedding dresses to religious attire, spanning from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity.
The most beautiful colours, fabrics and patterns - luxurious to the eye were bastardized by industrialism and cheap cotton from UK. This ignited India's determination for self-rule as their colonial leaders were pushing their products out of the market, putting Indian companies out of business. This is why Gandhi wore robes and the Indian symbol of independence is a spinning wheel.
It was such a comprehensive and tranquil event. It bought India to life through just one commodity. Farmers, artisans, cottage industries, culture and even politics all depicted in a few yarns.
I also discovered I rather enjoy the word weft.
My love affair with India started a long time ago and visiting last year just whet my appetite for all things Indian (I'm not just talking curry). So I was desperate to visit the V&A India Festival. And it did not disappoint.
This exhibition took you through dying of materials, manufacturing of clothes from boll/worm to cotton/silk. Then the painstaking method of making printing blocks and weaving to create the most beautiful and crucial garments. From wedding dresses to religious attire, spanning from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity.
The most beautiful colours, fabrics and patterns - luxurious to the eye were bastardized by industrialism and cheap cotton from UK. This ignited India's determination for self-rule as their colonial leaders were pushing their products out of the market, putting Indian companies out of business. This is why Gandhi wore robes and the Indian symbol of independence is a spinning wheel.
It was such a comprehensive and tranquil event. It bought India to life through just one commodity. Farmers, artisans, cottage industries, culture and even politics all depicted in a few yarns.
I also discovered I rather enjoy the word weft.
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