Bagalkot is known for hand-woven Ilkal saris, which have a strong and well-loved identity. An Artisan to Artisan Design Education workshop was conducted in 2014 with the weavers of Kamatgi village near Bagalkot in North Karnataka...
An Institution of Education for Artisans
Somaiya Kala Vidya (SKV) was founded to sustain art traditions and increase both the value and income of artisans. We believe that when artisans determine the innovations and evolution of their art, it will retain cultural integrity. And, only if art and artisans flourish, traditions will continue as an intact cultural heritage.
Managed by Somaiya Vidyavihar
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01.
Weaving
Kutch weaving is practiced on a 4 treadle, fly shuttle pit loom. The specialty of the tradition is hand insertion of ornamental extra wefts, almost like embroidering. Traditional dhabla/ blankets which used interlocking or tapestry wefts were made with a hand thrown shuttle.
02.
Block Printing
Kutch block printing is largely done with resist, so that the pattern is light on dark. Substances including gum Arabic and lime, or mud and millet flour are printed on the fabric with wooden blocks. When the fabric is immersed in the dye bath, the color cannot penetrate the printed areas. Typical patterns are complex, using two or three blocks to create the motifs. The most traditional fabric, Ajrakh, is printed separately on the back and front. Thus, registration is a critical skill.
03.
Batik
Batik in Kutch is a particular form of resist printing. The wax is applied with wooden blocks. Again, the patterns are light on dark. But the technique of printing is specifically swift because the wax must be applied while it is hot.
04.
Bandhani
Bandhani, or shibori, is a tie dyed resist. The fabric is folded for double thickness, printed with a basic pattern, and tied with fine cotton string in knots along the patterns. When the fabric is immersed in dye, the dye cannot penetrate the knots and a dotted pattern results. The technique requires manual dexterity.
05.
Natural Dyeing
Traditional Kutch textiles were dyed with natural substances, including indigo, iron acetate, madder and pomegranate rinds. Natural dyes on cotton fabrics require mordants. So the process is multi-stepped and based on an understanding of chemistry.
06.
Embroidery
Many styles of embroidery are practiced in Kutch. All employ intricate stitching techniques, and setting mirrors. Rabari's work is renowned for its prolific use of mirrors of a variety of shapes, and its wide repertoire of stitches. Suf is worked from the reverse of the fabric in surface satin stitch counted on the warp and weft. Garasia Jat embroidery is a cross stitch variation also counted on the warp and weft, and using minute mirrors. Pako uses nearly the same techniques as Rabari work, but is denser with predominantly floral motifs.
07.
Patchwork and Applique
Patchwork creates a fabric by stitching together squares and triangles of cloth. Appliqué creates patterns by stitching pieces of cloth upon the fabric. Both techniques are relatively easy to learn and can be used to make larger, utilitarian products.
Bhujodi to Bagalkot
Faradi to Lucknow
In May 2015, the first outreach program for Lucknow was introduced wherein suf embroidery graduates of the SKV BMA course, met the chikankari artisans. The chikan artisans analyzed the unique characteristics of chikan by exploring...
Kutch to Kumaon
Outreach project Kutch to Kumaon was conducted in March 2020 with our partner NGO Avani based in Uttarakhand. This was the first course in the design program for the artisan students of Avani wherein six women artisans successfully completed...
Kutch to Ladakh
A Design Education Workshop was organized in October 2021 in Hemya village of Ladakh region (approx. 80 kilometers from Leh). The idea was to provide introductory inputs in design education to the women artisans so that they can...
INTRODUCTION TO SOMAIYA KALA VIDYA: A JOURNEY OF CRAFT EDUCATION
Testimonial
I visited Somaiya Kala Vidya as a guest faculty on the Market Orientation Course for the Women’s Batch just before the first lockdown in India in March of 2020. It was a wonderful experience that connected the instinctive knowledge the women already possessed with real-life market experience that allowed them to visualise wonderful, innovative approaches and designs for their respective crafts. My own design practice and the way I now work with crafts and craftspeople has radically changed. A truly enriching experience in so many ways! Judyben and SKV are manifesting a truly brilliant vision for the future a lot of us want to see for our family of craftspeople.
Anahita Ginwala, Visiting Faculty, Design Course
Testimonial
As a design faculty, who has been associated with SKV for a very long time, I have felt great pride in knowing that our heritage crafts , the future and well being of our artisans in Kutch, are truly in safe hands through SKV's CSR support. SKV's alumni, now confident in their own status, are making a mark for themselves not only in India, but across the globe. With SKV's educational intervention, the artisan's of Kutch have found a voice and vocabulary with which they communicate and interact with the world!!!
Nita Thakore, Visiting Faculty, Design Course
Testimonial
Having taught a module on marketing back in 2017, SKV opened a whole new world for me by introducing me to bright Artisans from various backgrounds and age groups. This unique one of its kind design school for Artisans -SKV has made an impact at grassroots level. The impact is very much visible in the form of the success of the alumni graduates. I feel immensely proud to be a part of this journey.
Risha Roy, Visiting Faculty, Business and Management for Artisans Course
Testimonial
It was an opportunity to learn weaving from the weavers and understand this craft traditionally.
Rimpal Patel
Testimonial
It was phenomenal- the trip of a lifetime! I apprenticed with the best practitioners. Learning about the traditions associated with the practice deepened my understanding of the craft.
Stella Weinert
Testimonial
I was skeptical, but the Somaiya Kala Vidya workshops were the best part of the trip. They gave me a whole new appreciation of craft." - Claire Pratt, 2014 "Practical knowledge is the best process to learn something."
Tehmina Pathan
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