Saving Banarasi weaving: Stakeholders call for training and innovation

The Ministry of Textiles has done its bit by setting up weaver training schools where the weavers are taught newer techniques as well as design thinking. The weaver community, however, feels that the government’s interventions aren’t good enough.

The handwoven Banarasi weavers are definitely dwindling, but the rise of rich patrons who appreciate the art makes the stakeholders hopeful. The need of the hour, however, is to ensure that the stakeholders don’t opt out of the profession. Design copyright, safeguarding the weavers from risks and taking the exotic Banarasi art beyond saris could be a great way of preserving the dwindling art.