A group of 50 rural artisans from Gujarat are now being trained as fashion designers by training them to do hand embroidery on Bishnupuri and Murshidabad silk saris, western gowns and other outfits.
Kolkata-based young designer Kuheli Bhattacharya said she is training the women artisans in the eight Kutch villages of Padhar, Lakhpat, Dhori, Dhaneti, Jhikri, Bhujodi, Bhachau, and Sumrasar.
"These women are very talented but were exploited so far. They were given only embroidery work but since the last few months I am training them to prepare different designs," Bhattacharya said.
She said the artisans had never ventured into hand embroidery on silk saris and western gowns.
"Designwise, depicting India's history and culture, whether be it the grandeur of a Mughal wedding or the eternal love of Radha Krishna is something that I have tried to imbibe the artisans of Bhuj with. The colour combination of the fabric and design was also part of their syllabus," the designer said.
The products are now being sold online as well as through the brick and mortar stores.
The designer plans to get her artisans to work on Bengal weaves like tussar, motka, silk at first and then bring Bengal stitches like Kantha into play.
