Story of Stitches

Artisans demonstrate Nakshi Kantha stitches

Nakshi Kantha Exhibition by Aarong 
Story of Stitches

Jasimuddin's classic poem Nakshi Kanthar Maath (1929) depicts a rural Bangladesh where women illustrate their lives, passions and dreams through their needlework. Today in the hustle-bustle of city life one cannot help but wonder at the endurance, craftsmanship and creativity of the artisans who make Nakshi Kantha (embroidered quilts).

As part its 30th anniversary celebration, renowned fashion house Aarong has organised a Nakshi Kantha exhibition Titled Story of Stiches at the Plaza, National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The exhibition was inaugurated on July 15. 

Tamara Abed, director of Aarong and Ayesha Abed Foundation greeted the audience saying, “Aarong's bond with Nashi Kantha has remained strong for almost 30 years, so it is only apt that Aarong should put together this exhibition on its 30th anniversary, to highlight one of our most important crafts, its roots, regional variations and the vast economic possibilities that exist. Nakshi Kantha adorns our homes and has solidified its place in the world of fashion.

Adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Rasheda. K Chowdhury, was scheduled to be the chief guest at the inaugural programme. She sent a congratulatory message, as she was unable to attend the programme. Professor Mohammed Kibria was the special guest. Designer Chandra Shekhar Shaha, consultant, 30th anniversary series; and Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali, managing director, BRAC Enterprises also spoke at the programme.

Aarong and its production centre, Ayesha Abed Foundation (AAF), conferred the “Master Craftsperson Award” to eight women artisans selected by AAF. A crest and a cheque worth Tk 20,000 was given to each. 

One of the award winners, Zaheda Begum from Nahini Khandokar village of Kushtia is a shy woman in her 50s. She has been working for Aarong since the last 20 years, honing the craft that she learnt from her mother and other elderly women of her family. The stories are almost same for all the other award winners. Some serve as the only breadwinner of the family and are even able to provide their children higher education through their earnings.

Aarong could have honoured the artisans with more than just a cheque for Tk 20000, said some among the audience.

A group of folk artistes were there to entertain the audience with their music. But the main attraction was a collection of exquisite Nakshi Kantha amassed from different parts of Bangladesh. A set was made where four women demonstrated the art to the audience. Aarong also provided demonstrations of different kinds of stitches called Mushuri Kadam, Moy Par, Jora par, Hashia Taaga, Anas Taaga, Kolshi Par, Phool Par, Borfi Tip Par, Mukta Dana par and more that are used as units of stitches in making the Kanthas.

An extensive array of Aarong products using different traditional Nakshi Kantha motif were there. The items included sarees, shalwar kameez, taaga, shirts, kurtas, shawls, bed covers, cushion covers, wall hangings, lampshades and jewellery boxes. The exhibition will continue till July 29 (from 9 am to 7 pm everyday). The exhibition is a part of the “Anniversary Exhibition Series” by Aarong.




 

Exporters let down by budget 2008-09 - BTMA
 (Bangladesh)


The 14.58 billion budget for fiscal 2008-09 received mixed reaction from the industrial sector and those coming from the textile industry were not any different.

When Fibre2fashion approached Mr Towfique Hassan, Secretary General from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), he candidly stated that the budget is investment and industry friendly but not really export-friendly.

Mr Hassan asserted, “Reduction of duty on import of capital machinery under indemnity bond and introduction of 1 percent import duty will reduce hassles, but it is bound to increase project costs since textile industry is very much capital intensive. This will in turn affect the competitiveness of domestic exports.”

Besides reduction in duty to 3 percent will have little impact in the overall performance of the industry. On the other hand, continuation of tax holiday till 2011 will encourage investment but reduction of period in phases will not yield the desired results.

On the positive side, Mr Hassan welcomed the increase in subsidy as it will not only boost confidence in the sphere of business but will also improve productivity. Additionally, complete withdrawal of turnover tax scheme was also highly applauded by the textile industry.

SADAKALO FASHION FOR BANGLADESH





Fashion is a part of daily life. The work of a designer is to create a feeling of unexpressed desire- that is after a designer designs something a fashion conscious individual should say, "That is what I wanted". Keeping all these in mind, SadaKalo is designing its dresses and all other products, as well as, trying to keep up with the taste of fashion conscious people. Not because of only commercial aim, the journey of Sadakalo started from the thought of making a dream come true. A dream of limitless various designs with the combination of only two colors, Black and White.





Sadakalo has recently organized "Sadakalo Fashion for 2008". The objective of the show is self explained from the title, Sadakalo Fashion show for Bangladesh 2008. To create the awareness among the fashion conscious people in the last few years, and this is the attempt to make a platform of fashion where those people can catch the recent trend in fashion at the very beginning of the year. Also the show expected to attract more and more people to become fashion conscious. In this show, five of the top Bangladeshi fashion designers presented there collections in Black and White for 2008. Their collections reflect the upcoming style and idea of Bangladesh fashion. Also, the show is planned to be held on an annual basis, so that, every year, the Bangladesh fashion market can observe the change in fashion trend.