Ms Kaur appreciates 'Indian Saris'

Valuable words of encouragement and a moment of joy that needs to be shared with everyone now. Ms Gursharan Kaur, in her inspiring message sent to Wisdom Tree, has appreciated the book, 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspectives - Design', and sends her best wishes for its success. Ms Kaur is the wife of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She writes, "I found the book to be really beautiful in design and deep in content. My best wishes on the exquisite piece of work."

The Financial Express - making a business sense of Indian Saris

To read this review, click on the link through title of this post.

Indian Sari in 'Ahmedabad Mirror'

Sonia Gandhi appreciates, 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspectives - Design'

Since its International launch the book 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspectives - Design' in third week of April, 2009 much appreciation and encouragement has been coming from many eminent individuals and experts from across the continents. These kind words reaffirm our belief that the book is receiving the interest of many. Once again, it is heartening to share that President of Indian National Congress Party Ms Sonia Gandhi --in her message sent to Wisdom Tree, the publisher--has appreciated the book and sent her best wishes for its success.
Indeed a big encouragement for all of us concerned with this publication celebrating Indian handloom weavers and their iconic designs for saris.

Comments from Prof P B Jhala

Prof P B Jhala is a technocrat serving as advisor, Plasma-Textile Applications at Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar. He is also the last incumbant of John Bistel Research Chair in the area of Textile Design and Technology. The chair was set-up with the endowment support from the Ford Foundation. Application of plasma on handloom silk saris to impart better functional and performance characteristics to the fabric was one of the key reseach area of the chair.

Comments from the Chief guest

Left: The Baroness with Shobit Arya, the publisher - Wisdom Tree

Our chief guest, Lady Flather's fondness for the Indian saris aptly reflects through her engaging speech and the remarks on the publication, 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspectives - Design'. Shared hereunder are her comments she kindly wrote soon after the event.

A senior colleague comments on the book

Errol Pires, a noted expert of international repute on ply-split braiding, took out time to go through the sari book. He has over 25 years of uninterupted and unique contributions as the practitioner of his craft. He has exhibited his work widely and conducted a number of workshops for students and professionals. Prof Errol is a textile designer and a senior faculty colleague at NID. He teaches variety of subjects in textile design including 'Surface Design' and 'Craft Documentation'. Presently he also Heads the Textile Design discipline at NID. I am happy to share his initial comments on the book as below;

“Neechod” or “Saaransh”

“Neechod” or “Saaransh” have no equivalent term in the English language that can be used to describe Vijai’s accomplishment. An ‘Epic’al essay on the most eloquent of feminine garments the Sari, “Indian Saris – Traditions- Perspectives- Design” by Prof Vijai Singh Katiyar is an outcome of decades of research, design and development both in creative as also in technology of production. He traces the history of evolution of the garment across various cultures and subcultures of the most prolific of the world’s cultures – Culture of The Indian Subcontinent, and takes us through a journey of the evolution across geographies and dynasties. Equally educative and entertaining to both – an expert or a novice, the compilation is a comprehensive publication addressing the vastness of the opportunity and the harsh challenges for the textile designers and the handloom weavers at the same time. Predominantly a handloom phenomenon historically, a sari offers the largest canvass amongst all garments of the world for the artist in the designer and the weaver to express himself in the most elaborate manner. This throws open a huge opportunity for innovation and creativity for the producers on the one hand and the contemporary designs and sensuous drapes allow making a fashion statement for the user on the other. It is very difficult to bring out in a brief note the deep richness and the vast comprehensiveness with which Vijai has treated the multifaceted business of the Handloom saris of India. An effort par excellence and an outcome so exceptional, has raised the bar beyond capacity of a mere mortal. I am sure the book shall be appreciated by the professional and the uninitiated equally well. Truly a connoisseur’s coveted masterpiece.

Dr Hemant C Trivedi is professor at Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad. He specialises in the area of retail communication. With 24 years of industry experience and over 10years of teaching, he has done substantial work on the textile sectors of India. His research work includes an extensive market study of domestic retail for handloom saris.

Comments from Prof. Ashwin Thakkar

It was not only intellectual but a visual treat going through the book, ‘Indian Saris: Traditions – Perspectives – Traditions’. The book opens up with a journey, of the most colorful Indian dress, in to the historical background and takes us to the latest trends and the way in which it is draped in different parts of the country. It is amazing to see, with a renewed interest, how sculptures have had the impact on weaving. I am sure people, all over the world, will look at this truly Indian garment in a new perspective.
Prof. Ashwin Thakkar, Department of Textile, LDCE, Ahmedabad and Joint Hon.Gen.Sec., The Textile Association (India)

Review of 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspectives - Design' by Subrata Bhowmick

On 21st februray 2009, I had the previledge of sharing the publication, 'Indian Saris: Traditions - Perspective - Design' with Subrata Bhowmick. His remarks are shared here at the end of this post.

Subrata Bhowmick is one of India’s leading graphic designers with great penchant for the Indian textile heritage. For many years, he was the design director of the Calico Museum in Ahmedabad. He is also a Creative Consultant at Mudra Communication in India. Further, his specialization includes textiles, photography, environment, graphics, book design, advertising and exhibition design. He conducts workshops for art students. His work in textile and graphics has international acclaim. His design works have been exhibited in international biennials and he has received over 50 national and international awards in graphics, advertising, photography and book design, including 18 President’s National Awards. Twice he has been the ‘Art Director of the Year’ and ‘Photographer of the Year’ in India several times.

He has contributed in building brands such as Cali-Cloth, Vimal, Dhara, Remanika, Deepam, and the Handloom House. He has also launched a brand named RmKv silks, a well known brand for silk saris from Chennai.

Subrata Bhowmick reviewing the book in his office


Brand identity designed by Subrata Bhowmick for wedding silk saris for RmKv silks, Chennai


Subrata Bhowmick's remarks on the book