Tata Trusts’ Antaran Unearths Handlooms from Hidden Clusters this Festive Season

Antaran, an initiative of Tata Trusts, has curated an exclusive new collection of handloom products made by select Artisan Entrepreneurs nurtured under the initiative. This collection, intended for the coming festive season is available through the platform, www.antaranartisanconnect.in. The participating artisans are from six hidden and lesser-known clusters of India with a rich history of cultural weaves and local handwoven textiles.

More than 2000 textile pieces handwoven in an array of colours and designs representing six diverse heritage weave techniques are being featured on the platform as a part of its inaugural Artisan-led Design collection. Products in this new collection range from sarees, stoles, dupattas & fabrics (for men & women) and home furnishings such as cushion covers, table runners and placemats in cotton and varieties of silk such as Eri, Muga and Tussar. Key features of the textiles are natural fibres, ecofriendly or natural dyes, blends of handspun, mill spun yarns handwoven to create beautiful masterpieces with a design focus.

Antaran’s community initiatives run across four states and six clusters of Assam (Kamrup and Nalbari), Nagaland (Dimapur), Odisha (Gopalpur and Maniabandha) and Andhra Pradesh (Venkatgiri).

Through this platform, Antaran promotes exquisite textiles of lesser known handloom regions in India. Visitors to the site are able to directly access a wide variety of high quality, local, environmentally and socially conscious products from skilled artisans; while trade buyers and designers are able to establish long-term business relationships with them with facilitation support from a team of professionals as part of the initiative

Speaking about the latest collection, Mr Sharda Gautam, Head of Crafts – Tata Trusts, said, “In these challenging times, small craft producers are possibly amongst the worst hit. However, it is encouraging to see 600 artisans, linked to 70 microenterprises, maintaining their creative spirits, as they design and develop beautiful textiles for the coming festive season, with the hope to spark joy and keep their craft alive. This one-of-a-kind collection encapsulates the artistry and skill of the weavers while offering consumers the rare opportunity of direct interaction at a fair and transparent price point”.

The platform which was set up to support Artisan Entrepreneurs by selling their stock at the start of the Lockdown, proved to be a huge success in its first phase. It attracted patrons from across India and abroad as far as The US, Canada, The UK and Singapore. The unique offering of personal contact with these artisans made for an altogether unique buying experience.  Allowing customers, a rare firsthand view of the industry, the true charm of handwoven textiles and the lives of our artisan entrepreneurs.