Weaving stories with Kasavu

Self-taught designer Usha will be in the city to showcase her exclusive saris in Kerala weaves from Balaramapuram

Kamalini, the craft store by Crafts Council of Karnataka is hosting an exhibition by Anka. What is exclusive? For one, it will feature only saris in Kasavu – the traditional Kerala-style weaves from Balaramapuram and it is designed by Usha Devi Balakrishnan.

Usha, a self-taught designer, previously worked as the Regional Director of Kudumbashree project. “It was a government initiative that sought to help communities living below poverty line. My job involved working with the weaving community intimately,” explains Usha over the phone.

The Thiruvananthapuram-based designer started Anka after her retirement to keep her passion for weaves alive. “I always had a great design sense and have loved weaves, textures and colours.”

Explaining the meaning of Anka and what Bengalureans can expect, Usha says, “The show will be a contemporary retelling of the traditional cream and gold weaves from Kerala. Anka in Malayalam means ‘close to the body’; I took the word from ankavastra. I also discovered anka means ‘gracious’ in other languages. I was happy with both meanings and that is how the name came to be.”

Usha adds she works with many women in Balaramapuram. “What these weavers do, others cannot. They weave a fabric that looks the same on both sides. There is no good side or bad side. And the reason I chose to work on kasavu is that I noticed that the weaves from Kerala were not seen in most exhibitions and many people were not aware of its technicality, style or work. So I decided to address that issue and work only with this weave,” explains Usha, who now wants to learn weaving. “I should know the in and out of what I work with. There is no age limit to learning,” laughs the 60-year-old designer.

Usha notes that while women these days wear western outfits and look smart, she “loves only the sari” and believes a sari not only makes a woman look smart but also elegant.

The exhibition will be on at # Sri Bhooma, 17th Cross, Malleshwaram on July 28 and 29 from 11 am to 7 pm.

Call 23567470 for details.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/weaving-stories-with-kasavu/article19370221.ece