Learn about the history and craft of Gujarat's Vankar community at this event

The Vankar community of Gujarat belongs to the Kachchh region and are traditional weavers known for their beautiful extra weft weaving Now Mumbaikars will get a chance to experience their unique traditions and craftsmanship at an event called Weaving Stories Traditions and TextilesCelebrating the Cultural Heritage of the Vankar Community of Kachchh It is being organised by the Centre for Kachchh Studies in collaboration with Somaiya Kala Vidya both form part of Somaiya Vidyavihar University and Somaiya Trust and will be held at the University campusA weaver creates intricate extra weft designIn textile language therersquos a warp and a weft two basic components in weaving to turn the yarn or a thread into the material The extra weft is inserted with hands horizontally and vertically in addition to the regular shuttle weft This is also done to create a motif or an additional design on the product There are a few motifs that are quintessential to the region a damrushaped motif dungli and choumukh motif which is inspired by the fourfaced diya used during pujaldquoThe event aims to bring to light the histories and stories behind the Vankars Academic experts activists and practitioners will be at par discussing the realities of weaving the research that goes into it and the struggles of it allrdquo shares Amrita Somaiya trustee Somaiya TrustsWeaver Bharatbhai Jepar from Mota Varnora village in Kachchh works on a frame loom used for weaving Pic courtesyHashim BadaniThe panel and talks that will be conducted at The Somaiya School Auditorium will include panel discussions and talks mdash Significance of oral histories by Nandini Oza Role of women in weaving by rishnaben Vankar Kachchhi folk bhajan history and evolution of Vankar textiles panel discussion design education by Amrita Somaiya Savith Suri and Nishit Sangomla and a performance by a Kachchhi music bandldquoMusic is a significant part of the Vankar community it has been a tradition to sing while weaving So the bhajans and Kachchhi music will be sung by weavers including Shivji Kharet Karsan Siju Naran Siju Khimji Samat Siju Manji Khokhar and Manodhiya Hemrajrdquo informs Yashika M programme coordinator Somaiya Kala Vidya KachchhYashika M and Dr Yamini ShahThe exhibition will showcase sarees shawls scarves and bed sheets that have been designed and made by the students of Somaiya Kala Vidya ldquoAdditionally there will be a demonstration where weavers will educate participants about the process of weaving from the first stroke of the thread on the raw cloth till the final product It will be a great opportunity for Mumbaikars to interact with weaversrdquo says Dr Yamini Shah assistant director Centre for Kachchh StudiesAmrita SomaiyaldquoFew people know about the specificities of the Vankar community this exhibit hopes to create awareness about their histories and craft People and students stand to learn immensely about the intricacies behind the toil of weaving and about these skills that have been preserved for generationsrdquo elaborates Somaiya She added that listening to the expert talk and panel discussions on Vankars will expand the understanding of the exhaustive research and documentation about textiles that are woven by themOn November 2 and 3 10 am to 6 pmAt The Somaiya School Auditorium Vidyanagar Vidyavihar East Ghatkopar EastLog on to somaiyavidyaviharuniversity