Women entrepreneurs from SAARC nations showcase their work
Women entrepreneurs from SAARC countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India are set to come together to showcase their artistic products at an exhibition in New Delhi. Distinctive Kilim woolen rugs from Afghanistan will find matching echoes with hand-woven dhurries by weavers from Telangana and Uttar Pradesh that goes on display in the exhibition beginning September 18.
Craftswomen from Gujarat will meet their counterparts from Sind and Afghanistan and the Kanthaand sujni embroidery will link India and Pakistan at the upcoming exhibition SAARC Chambers Women Entrepreneurs’ Council (SCWEC) Market Place 2015. “SCWEC is a platform which is providing all the first generation business women entrepreneurs to spread their skills beyond the borders with maximum exposure. They would representing their countries with the best of crafts free of cost which includes their traveling allowance”, says Anuradha Goyal, Member of Jury of SCWEC.
Embroidery from Pakistan, jewellery from Afghanistan and Bangladesh, woolen clothing and household products from Nepal, the famous zhistone jewelry from Bhutan besides a variety of products from Odisha, Gujarat, Punjab, Assam are set to be showcased at the event. “My designs symbolise the cultural heritage of the east fused together with the western sensibility. They reflect the supreme eastern traditions leaving an impression that is elegantly chic yet sophisticatedly modern”, says Hina Mansab Khan, an upcoming Pakistani designer.
The SCWEC bazaar gives artisans an avenue to study fashion trends from across borders and learn various skills like Phulkari of Punjab and Pakistan, Beadwork of Gujarat, Afghanistan. At the same time, the Bazaar also creates a bridge where artists can interact and expand their ties with neighboring countries beyond business. “The SCWEC market acts as a thread of communication between craftspeople, states, countries, traditions, skills and cultures. It becomes a platform where artisans can learn and understand the variations of their skills being practiced in other countries”, says Annanya Sharma, founder of Yarn Glory from Assam.
Sharma brings to the exhibition her new collection of hand-woven and vegetable dyed pieces for the brand Yarn Glory. This autumn array includes ‘Eri’ stoles made with ‘Ahimsa’ silk (non injurious to the silkworm), durries and furnishings. Other things to watch out for at the two day exhibition scheduled at the FICCI lawn are textile craftspeople from Afghanistan and Pakistan brings nomadic carpets, felted wool home accessories and urbane silk Ikats and brocades, to complement the hand-knotted rugs & crewel embroidery from Kashmir, and applique from Gujarat and Karnataka.
Folk paintings from Madhya Pradesh,West Bengal and Rajasthan to complement traditional painting art from Bhutan . SCWEC, first began in 2001 in Colombo with the objective of developing and promoting women entrepreneurs in the South Asian region. It is a platform to strengthen intra-regional development of women’s entrepreneurship for economic development.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
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