Fridday 18th     11.00 a.m. —12.15 p.m.

Venue :                       

ARTISANS

52-56 Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg,

Rhythm House Lane,  

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001.

HISTORY OF THE EVERLASTING MAHESHWARIS

 Maheshwar, an ancient Indian temple town, is doused in a veil of history that converts it into a majestic and magical place that is untainted by external influences and is shrouded in peace and obscurity

Handloom weaving in Maheshwar dates back to 1500 years and it is under the patronage of Mahrani  Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled the former state of Indore that the weavers prospered. Queen Ahilyabai ordered craftsmen to design special 9 yard sarees to royal guests. These gorgeous sarees in emerald greens, ruby reds, deep blue sapphires, purple amethysts and orange amber became popular as Maheshwari sarees.

With India’s independence in 1947, the royal patronage for handlooms disappeared leaving the weavers unable to find new markets. Quality declined and incomes dwindled. Moved by the weaver’s requests for help in earning their livelihood, Holkars founded REHWA Society which started with a single unit of 8 looms to a non profit weaver’s cooperative. REHWA produces 1100 to 1300 high quality textiles per month.

Drawing from the origins of REHWA and traditional Maheshwari weaving, Ladies, get ready to witness the stunning Festive Collection which is rooted in royal splendour in a range of metallic and jewelled hues. A rare blend of the old and the new, a hint of the unique and everlasting- the perfect recipe to revive a thing of beauty!

Shibani Gandhi 

Shalini Lunkad