A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in the 150th year since his birth, by recreating works by India's master artist Raja Ravi Varma through the Jamdani tradition in Khadi, a symbol of India's Independence Movement.
Photograph of Lavina Baldota (2019) by Lantern FilmsOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Conceptualised and curated by Lavina Baldota, the very first link to this loop was announced in 2018 as 'Khadi, A Canvas', bringing together three entities.
Presented by the Abheraj Baldota Foundation, The Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation and renowned textile artist Gaurang Shah, this was a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Raja Ravi Varma.
Weaving a mythological story on a canvas of Khadi
This effort brings together the Mahatma's khadi and Ravi Varma's paintings and prints to explore dynamic and multifaceted Indian weaving techniques by recreating 52 images on a canvas of khadi, not with a brush and paint, but through intricate Jamdani hand weaves. The results have evolved into an aesthetic expression of wearable art on the pallu of sarees.
Dhruva Narayan Being Reproduced On A Saree Pallu (2018) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Jamdani is a supplementary weft technique of weaving where artistic motifs are produced by an unstructured weft in addition to the standard form that holds the warp threads together.
Making of Dhruv Narayan (2018-09-26) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
The intrinsic and skilled story unfolds on the loom.
Panchdevata on the loom (2018) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
In this weaving technique, the pattern is not sketched or outlined on the fabric. Instead, it is drawn on graph paper and placed underneath the warp.
Khadi a Canvas: The Making (2018-09-15) by Lumos FilmsOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Panchadevata on Loom (2018-09-29) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
The result is a myriad of vibrant patterns that appear to float on a shimmering surface.
Making of Ganapati Textile (2018-09-26) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Each weft motif is added separately, by interlacing the weft threads into the warp with fine bamboo sticks using individual spools of thread.
Ganapati on The Loom (2018) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Artistic hands at work.
Panchadevata on Loom (2018-09-29) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Weaving is like meditation; artisans sit at these looms with monk-like focus on their work, and the painstaking process results in just a mere centimetre being created each day!
Making of Ganapathi with Riddhi and Siddhi (2018-09-26) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
More than 600 shades of yarn have been organically dyed and created to match Ravi Varma's palette of colours.
Photograph of Gaurang Shah (2019) by Lantern FilmsRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
'Khadi, A Canvas' celebrates the mellow beauty, sophistication and subtle glamour of hand-spun, hand-woven khadi in 600 shades of natural dye - an enchanting interface of Indian craft with art.
Reproductions: from the collection of Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
Curator: Lavina Baldota for conceptualising Santati, Mahatma Gandhi: Then. Now. Next.
Khadi Revival: Abheraj Baldota Foundation
Designing & Weaving: Gaurang Shah
Exhibit & References: from the collection of the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Film Conceptualisation and production: Lumos Films
Editorial content and coordination: Print Brew
Click here to read more about Raja Ravi Varma.
