-By Ankita Dutta.
The sari is a popular and traditional garment of India, which has been worn for centuries. The sari is made of a single piece of unstitched cloth that is draped elegantly around the body to create a garment. The simplicity of the sari has encouraged Indian designers to experiment with its designs and create a plethora of styles that are unique and stylish.
One of the most popular styles of the sari that is prevalent today is the one encouraged during the British Raj. However, there are over a hundred alternatives available, and Indian designers are trying to popularize them by exploring the designs of the fabric itself. The sari had lost its popularity from the 1960s to the millennium, but with new designers and resurgence in women’s rights, it has become a symbol of female empowerment.
The exhibition called “The Offbeat Sari” at the Design Museum takes a fresh look at the sari, examining it from a fabric of high fashion and social significance. The exhibit displays an array of saris that resemble a fashion show. However, it’s the smaller details that stand out, such as the beautifully decorated trainers that bring a contemporary style and comfort to younger wearers.
A section of the exhibition delves into the technical aspects of creating the sari fabric and features modern materials that are used in creating the fabrics. A particularly stunning sari in this section glows and is made from hair-thin strands of steel coated in gold, creating a flowing fabric that looks almost sculpted rather than woven. Another interesting exhibit showcases old-fashioned punch cards from early industrial weaving machines, displaying a modern pattern from 2020.
Some saris at the exhibition reflect political messages and causes. For example, a striking pink sari is from the Gulabi Gang, which was set up in 2006 to fight domestic violence in rural northern India. New Delhi-based designer Gaurav J Gupta has found a way of collecting New Delhi’s infamous pollution to create an ink that is used to dye fabrics. This allows for the embedding of political messages into the fabric itself.
The exhibition also features a section about people of other genders, or none, wearing a sari. This section highlights how even with its ancient heritage, the sari is still a modern garment that is evolving with the times. It also explores how the garment is increasingly being claimed as a symbol of identity and pride.
Overall, the exhibition “The Offbeat Sari” is part fashion show and part political statement that provides education about the history of the sari. It helps visitors understand this iconic garment’s significance to India and its cultural elements. The sari, although a single piece of cloth, carries immense historical, cultural, and political power- and thus it is exciting to learn about. Don’t miss the chance to visit the exhibition at the Design Museum until 17th September.
- Na Ankita Dutta. Sari ni mavazi maarufu na ya kitamaduni ya India, ambayo yamevaliwa kwa karne nyingi. Sari hutengenezwa kwa kitambaa kimoja kisichotengenezwa na kushona kwa njia ya kifahari kuzunguka mwili ili kutengeneza mavazi. Sawa ya saree imehamasisha wabunifu wa India kujaribu na kubuni mitindo yake na kuunda aina nyingi za mitindo ambayo ni ya kipekee na ya mtindo. Mojawapo ya mitindo maarufu zaidi ya sare ambayo inapatikana leo ni ile iliyohimizwa wakati wa utawala wa Uingereza. Hata hivyo, kuna njia zaidi ya mia moja za badala zinazopatikana, na wabunifu wa India wanajaribu kuzifanya ziwe maarufu kwa kuchunguza miundo ya kitambaa hicho chenyewe. Sari ilikuwa imepoteza umaarufu wake kutoka miaka ya 1960 hadi milenia, lakini na wabunifu wapya na uamsho katika haki za wanawake, imekuwa ishara ya nguvu ya wanawake. Maonyesho yaliyoitwa "The Offbeat Sari" katika Jumba la Makumbusho la Ubunifu yanaangalia sari kwa njia mpya, ikiichunguza kutoka kwa kitambaa cha mtindo wa juu na umuhimu wa kijamii. Maonyesho hayo yanaonyesha safu ya sarees ambazo zinafanana na maonyesho ya mitindo. Hata hivyo, ni maelezo madogo ambayo huonekana, kama vile viatu vya mazoezi vilivyopambwa kwa uzuri ambavyo huleta mtindo wa kisasa na faraja kwa watumiaji wachanga. Sehemu ya maonyesho huchunguza mambo ya kiufundi ya kutengeneza kitambaa cha sari na ina vifaa vya kisasa vinavyotumiwa kutengeneza vitambaa. Sari ya kipekee katika sehemu hii inaangaza na imetengenezwa kutoka kwa nyuzi nyembamba za chuma zilizopakwa dhahabu, na kuunda kitambaa kinachozunguka ambacho kinaonekana kama kimechongwa badala ya kushona. Maonyesho mengine ya kuvutia yanaonyesha kadi za zamani za punch kutoka mashine za mapema za ufundi wa viwanda, na kuonyesha muundo wa kisasa kutoka 2020. Baadhi ya sarei katika maonyesho hayo huonyesha ujumbe na sababu za kisiasa. "Mfano: ""Gulabi Gang"" ni kundi la wapiganaji wa kijinsia lililoanzishwa mwaka 2006 katika eneo la mashambani la India." Mtengenezaji wa nguo Gaurav Gupta amepata njia ya kukusanya uchafuzi wa hewa wa New Delhi na kutengeneza wino unaotumiwa kupaka rangi nguo. Hii inaruhusu kuingizwa kwa ujumbe wa kisiasa katika kitambaa yenyewe. Maonyesho hayo pia yana sehemu kuhusu watu wa jinsia nyingine, au wasio na jinsia yoyote, wanaovaa sari. Sehemu hii inaangazia jinsi hata na urithi wake wa kale, sari bado ni nguo ya kisasa ambayo inabadilika na nyakati. Pia inachunguza jinsi mavazi yanavyodaiwa kuwa ishara ya utambulisho na fahari. Kwa ujumla, maonyesho <unk>The Offbeat Sari<unk> ni sehemu ya maonyesho ya mitindo na sehemu ya taarifa ya kisiasa ambayo hutoa elimu kuhusu historia ya sari. Inasaidia wageni kuelewa umuhimu wa nguo hii ya iconic kwa India na vipengele vyake vya kitamaduni. Ingawa sare ni kitambaa kimoja, ina nguvu nyingi za kihistoria, kitamaduni, na kisiasa - na kwa hiyo ni jambo lenye kusisimua kujifunza juu yake. Usipoteze nafasi ya kutembelea maonyesho katika Jumba la Makumbusho la Ubunifu hadi Septemba 17.