Hyderabad : Swayambhar NARI (Non-formal Action Research Institute), a Kolkata-based Voluntary Organisation,  from Shantiniketan from West Bengal brings to city couple of unique Handicraft Products by way of an exhibition currently underway at YWCA, West Marredpally, Secunderabad.

Designer and artist Mats are the highlight.  The light weight mats woven from Golden Grass are unique.  Used in Pooja Rooms and and also for sleeping purpose are painstakingly woven by artisans.  To make one mat it takes two artisans six months of time.  They are so unique that whatever the design you want it can be done even your own photograph. They are available for a grab at Rs 2500/-and can go up to Rs 25000/- informs Saiket Banerjee.

Another star attraction are Khesh Sarees, made using a unique technique of weaving  old sarees by tearing them into thin strips informs Mrs Surangama Bhadra,Founder Secretary of Swayambhar Nari. Even before reduce, reuse and recycle became the environmental watchwords,  Birbhum, the district that Santiniketan falls under, had a tradition of recycled textiles. While Birbhum shares with many other areas of both West  Bengal and Bangladesh the tradition of the “kantha” or the quilt made by layering old sarees, the tradition of “khesh” is quite unique to Birbhum and adjoining areas she says.

The khesh technique is weaving with old sarees by tearing them into thin strips Surangama Bhadra said.  She started Swayambahr Nari in 1988 essentially for women but over the years the male craftsmen too have joined. It was started as a voluntary group for providing marketing facilities to craftsperson’s.  Today, it has more than 1,000 members. The organisation runs two craft schools at Midnapore and Birbhum, Shantiniketan besides schools in rural areas for the craftsperson’s’ children. It advises craftsperson’s on design matters.

Swayambhar NARI activities are supported by D.C(H), National Jute Board(N.J.B), KHADI, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Institute of Design(NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for skill up gradation and product diversification in handicrafts.

The exhibition also showcases different types of Handicrafts from Shantineketan – Hand Embroidery Sarees, Batique items, Dress materials, Jewellery, Block Printing, Kurta, Madur (mat), Jute Chappals, Jute Bags, Men’s & Women’s Silk & Cotton Kurtas, Dress Materials, Cotton, Silk & Tassar printed sarees, Dokra, etc.

The Exhibition is open from 10am to 8pm and will conclude on 12th September.