Weaving India’s stories

Jain goes through the book with Kaavya

For Parel resident Drishika Jain, fashion design is a passion-turned-business. "The world of fashion captivates me. It is such an intricate subject that I have spent decades exploring and understanding it, first through my studies, and later, through my small business," says Jain, founder of a home-run business called Kaavya Signature Style. She is happy that her 12-year-old daughter Kaavya, a grade seven student at JBCN International School, Parel, Kaavya has interests in gymnastics, kathak, and piano. She has also learnt to solve the Rubik's Cube, and is now teaching other kids about it. Moreover, she is developing an interest in fashion as well. The mother-daughter duo shares this interest, allowing Jain to experience the joy of experimenting with various drapes and styles by dressing up her not-so-tiny tot.

A panel of textile fabrics from the book

Recently, Jain was gifted, Textiles, the Indian Story, an activity book on textile traditions, by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) and thought it was the perfect way to introduce her curious daughter to understand the varied textiles of India and their role in our cultural heritage. "I thought it would be an exciting introduction for her since it was a handbook with many activities. The activity book delves into the story of textiles, from its inception as a thread into a weave and, finally, a cloth, making children understand the process from start to finish. Since she had seen me at work, it was easier for her to understand this," Jain shares.

The book (Talking Cub, in association with INTACH) includes fascinating facts and interactive pages and covers the designs, embellishments, embroidery, and prints found on textiles, along with the stories and traditions linked to them. Kavya's fascination led her to dig deeper into the rich cultures of Indian weaving, with a particular emphasis on textiles like Banarasi. The activity involves dyeing, which inspired her to craft a unique Shibori pattern on her pants. Motifs such as the Tree of Life, elephant, peacock, lotus, and Ambi sparked her curiousity and prompted comparisons between old and new design elements.

Tie-dye pants by Kaavya

Reflecting on their experience, Jain says she found it to be not only enjoyable but also reminiscent of her college days. She often shares insights with Kaavya about the unique textiles and the evolution of India's fashion landscape. Drawing from her fashion designing course at Nirmala Niketan College, Churchgate, she explains the intricacies of Indian weaving styles, traditional embroideries, block prints, various dyeing techniques, and draping methods. "I consistently strive to incorporate unique Indian styles into my clients' outfits - lehengas, saris, or fusion dresses. While the book can be used by anyone interested in Indian textiles, I would recommend it to parents introduce Gen Alpha to the subject, and to ensure that the rich heritage of Indian textiles is not forgotten. It serves as a bridge between generations, allowing the next wave of designers to appreciate and carry forward the essence of our cultural legacy," Jain concludes.

Textiles, The Indian Story
AGE GROUP: 10 + years
TYPE: Textile education activity book
PRICE: Rs 399
RATING: 3.5/4
LOG ON: amazon.in