Celebrating its second anniversary, here's how a Facebook group is trying to revive a handloom revolution across India
Sunita Budhiraja draped in the rare, handwoven Neelambari saree, originating from Shantipur, West Bengal. She’s the only one among the 22,000-member online group to own this weave. Pics/Tanvi Phondekar
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A prized possession in Sunita Budhiraja's envious collection of sarees, picked from across India over the past 50 years, is the silk Patola from Patan in Gujarat, featuring double ikat weave and intricate geometric patterns. "When my nani [maternal grandmother] embarked on a Bharat yatra in the 1950s, she bought three pieces priced at '500 each. Today, they are worth over a lakh because only one family in Patan continues the art of weaving this fabric," says the 62-year-old Noida-based communications professional and author, who inherited the love for handloom watching her mother wear Bengali sarees. "She used to tell me that my nana [maternal grandfather] owned a handloom factory in Lahore, where they lived before Partition. Our home in Delhi had several charkhas. My nani would spin the yarn to make khadi sarees."
London-based Sonal Kisnadwala (left) in the traditional Parsi gara saree, standing with her sister’s friend. "She has an exquisite collection of garas and she has worn a stunning kanda batata design gara," she writes in a post
Celebrating six yards
However, it was when Budhiraja travelled to the interiors of India, especially in the villages of Karnataka, that she discovered the plight of the weavers. Two years ago, she launched #SixYardsand365Days, a Facebook group where members post photographs of them in handloom sarees and share stories behind them. "The idea is to show our support to the weavers," she says.
This afternoon, Budhiraja will celebrate the group's second anniversary at a get-together in BKC.âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Here, members who have crossed milestones like their 200th or 500th saree will be felicitated. She will also celebrate her own milestone — wearing her 600th saree. "The theme is the weaves of Maharashtra. So, I'll wear a black, cotton Paithani with a zari and orange border," she informs. Also on the cards is a quiz on handlooms and a ramp walk.
Mumbai-based member Deepali Sengupta in a linen silk saree with Jamdani work on it
Share your knowledge
Starting with four enthusiasts, today, the group boasts 22,000 members, with women from across USA, UK, Greece, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka flaunting their six yards of wonder. Members include Indian dancer Sonal Mansingh and Vijaya Laxmi Chhabra, a retired director-general of Doordarshan, who taught Budhiraja how to drape a saree without using safety pins. "I never thought it would reach so many people, and 50 per cent of the members are under 40. The criteria is to number your sarees and post only handloom varieties."
Ruchita Prasad in a Kaziranga saree that she picked up from Guwahati, featuring motifs of one-horned rhinos, paired with traditional Assamese jewellery
The group has also turned into a knowledge-sharing platform, where different weaves are discovered and discussed. Like, the Baluchar saree, known for mythological depictions on the pallu. Today, it is only found in Bishnupur, West Bengal. It's part of Budhiraja's collection. "These need to be treasured."
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