FDCI presents ‘Threads of Banaras’ at trade fair in Delhi

Burgeoning Banarasi market: India’s textile heritage and modernity in fashion was interwoven at this event where FDCI presented ‘Threads of Banaras’ – the fine weaves from Ekaya at the Trade fair in Pragati Maidan recently.
The lehengas and flowing dupattas with their Banarasi essence in gold and beige brocade were the highlight of the show.
A show for everyone: The Ministry of External Affairs had presented this show at the the India-Africa Forum Summit III recently.FDCI president Sunil Sethi said, “We’ve organized this fashion show at the trade fair again because that show was for a select audience and we wanted even common people to watch our show. All the seats were occupied and today over 2000 people watched the show.” SK Panda, secretary, Ministry of Textiles, told us, “Today’s show was for a bigger audience. The government is working on the revival of Banarasi textiles – to turn the world’s oldest legacy into the leader in fashion, so that even the modern woman can flaunt her Banarasi in style. Besides, this is also a step towards a bigger project by the Prime Minister – that is to bridge the gap between the weaver and the mainstream market.” Senior officials from the Textiles and Handloom department were also present at the show.
Awestruck Audience: Not just the collection, but the beautifully choreographed show too captured the audience’s attention. Sufi singers presented an ode to Ganga, while songs like 'Piya tose naina laage re' and 'Chhap tilak' were also sung. Some members of the audience said that they were quite pleased to see the traditional Banarasi take a modern twist and were hoping for more experimentation with the weave.