Apparel September 2019 Apparel September 2019 issue

UNIQUE INITIATIVE CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUBLI SARI? During the historical research data collection for patteda anchu, I had received a sample that had a border adorned with a parallel chain of flowers. Not knowing what the name of the weave was, I inquired about it. I then found 85-year-old Hussain Saab, who told me that it was a Hubli sari, which he used to weave when he was a 16-year-old. Those days, Hubli saris were extensively woven in Gajendragad and Gadag. The sample received during the investigation was passed through a scientific test to gauge its age; it was found to be close to 103 years old. The Hubli sari was majorly worn by married countrywomen, and the flowers in the border resembled beauty and elegance. This is how our cluster commenced the revival project of the Hubli weave and slowly, it turned into a sustenance model for the craft and the artisans as well. HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT THE WEAVERS? Almost every weekend, I visit their village and look into every detail of the process—from procuring materials to marketing—involving various people I WANT TO TRAIN THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF ARTISANS TO KEEP THESE CRAFTS ALIVE. WE NEED TO LEND OUR REVIVAL EFFORTS A NEWER DIMENSION. at each point to help them to sustain themselves. We have started an evening school for the artisans in order to teach them reading, writing, and speaking in English and Hindi. We also take computer literacy quite seriously. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? All the people I have met during my journey in the last 15 years have inspired me in many ways, be they weavers or old women from the villages talking of folklore. They keep me going; they motivate and inspire me to keep moving ahead. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? We are working towards bringing bamboo and hemp into our manufacturing fold. I want to train the younger generation of artisans to keep these crafts alive. We need to lend our revival efforts a newer dimension, and empower our artisans in a way that they no longer have to battle with power looms. APPAREL I September 2019 I 69

Apparel September 2019 Apparel September 2019 issue | Page 75