The document discusses the decline of traditional textile arts in Bangladesh and strategies for revitalizing the industry. Weaving has declined significantly due to lack of skilled artisans and low pay. Younger generations are reluctant to take up the profession. However, there is growing global demand for sustainable, ethically produced fashion. With training support and policies that promote traditional crafts, Bangladesh's textile heritage could thrive in international markets while empowering artisans financially. Collaboration across sectors is needed to ensure the preservation of this cultural legacy.
The document discusses the decline of traditional textile arts in Bangladesh and strategies for revitalizing the industry. Weaving has declined significantly due to lack of skilled artisans and low pay. Younger generations are reluctant to take up the profession. However, there is growing global demand for sustainable, ethically produced fashion. With training support and policies that promote traditional crafts, Bangladesh's textile heritage could thrive in international markets while empowering artisans financially. Collaboration across sectors is needed to ensure the preservation of this cultural legacy.
The document discusses the decline of traditional textile arts in Bangladesh and strategies for revitalizing the industry. Weaving has declined significantly due to lack of skilled artisans and low pay. Younger generations are reluctant to take up the profession. However, there is growing global demand for sustainable, ethically produced fashion. With training support and policies that promote traditional crafts, Bangladesh's textile heritage could thrive in international markets while empowering artisans financially. Collaboration across sectors is needed to ensure the preservation of this cultural legacy.
FROM PAGE 2 authenticity of Bangladeshi natural need to be a sari,” explained Faiza
Trends that “The beauty of local fabrics like
khadi, for instance, is in its hand- woven and hand-spun element textiles to be compromised in the process.” Chakma further explained how Ahmed, adding, “In fact, if we can present it as a yard cloth, even with a price for its exclusivity, it will
transcend of it. It is alarming and almost
disheartening to see the drastic decline in the number of weavers lack of guidance has made artisans very hesitant towards trying new designs and techniques, something attract a huge crowd from all over the world.” By leveraging this cultural
the test of in our country,” expressed designer
Maheen Khan. Nini stresses that where once that he had to overcome with his team over the years. Faiza Ahmed added, “The capital and embracing innovation, Bangladesh can position itself in the global market for sustainable
time there used to be close to twenty
thousand looms, the number has now fallen to less than a mere hundred due to a lack of skilled challenge does not end with the declining number of weavers. It’s also in the maintenance and quality assurance, which is especially tricky and ethical fashion.
THE WAY FORWARD
While individual designers can train weavers. when it comes to several small-scale their teams or encourage a handful Shedding some light on the producers.” of people, they cannot initiate a practical aspect of it, Nini explains bigger change unless guidance and that with the cost of living on the TIME FOR REVIVAL support come from policymakers rise, it is not fair of us to ask artisans Today, there is a worldwide surge and government authorities. to carry the burden of this legacy to go back to the roots; a call to Investing in training programmes unless we can assure that the price go green, urging us all to embrace for artisans is crucial to revitalising they receive is equally rewarding. sustainability in all spheres of life, Bangladesh’s textile heritage. By “Because handloom weaving including fashion. And there is no providing opportunities for skill pays less than other popular better time to bring back the magic development and entrepreneurship, occupations, the younger of hand-woven textiles than now. artisans can expand their market generation in particular is Our local weaves come with a low reach and enhance the value of becoming less and less carbon footprint; something that their craft. interested in pursuing it as makes them extremely attractive in Collaborations between a career. And they are not the global market. Not only are they government agencies, and non- to blame. We are living as authentic and unique as can be, profit organisations, as well as in expensive times. these natural weaves give us outfits designers, can facilitate access to Putting myself in that are more than mere clothes; they are a lifestyle choice. resources, markets, and technology, their shoes, I also speeding up the process of retaining would not like to Moreover, designers and industry experts unanimously agree that our cultural heritage. hold on to a tradition Policies that prioritise the if it holds me back Bangladesh’s textile heritage has significant potential in the global preservation and promotion of financially,” she stated. market. traditional crafts, along with Tenzing Chakma, whose designs Tenzing Chakma provided a initiatives to provide financial have added a new contemporary simple example, stating, “One of assistance and training to artisans, dimension to the traditional my clients wanted a veil for her are essential to safeguarding ethnic wear of Bangladesh, said, “Handmade products, be it dresses, wedding. I had suggested Rajshahi Bangladesh’s cultural legacy. shoes, scarves or accessories, are Organza for it. It was smooth and The way forward is anything but meant to be expensive.” flowy with the right texture to make easy. However, it is not impossible. “We are not only paying for the it into a perfect veil. She was brave With traditional weaves and modern work we see, but also the effort enough to take my suggestion and innovation, we are only a few steps and time spent behind bringing go outside the norms of chiffon or away from making sustainable each piece together. While it is not lace. And the results were stunning.” fashion that will create its own uncommon or alarming for mass- The unique textures, intricate identity around the globe. produced outfits to be a part designs, and rich cultural history of our regular of traditional fabrics like jamdani By Nusrath Jahan wear, we and muslin make them highly Photographer: Abrar Alvi should not sought-after commodities among Daanish allow discerning fashion enthusiasts Model: Tabassum Borno t h e worldwide. Designer: Zarin Rashid “Jamdani does not necessarily Photo Courtesy: Kino