TNUA has begun an international exchange project to highlight the efforts of preserving and promoting the traditional weaving and dyeing techniques in India and Taiwan.

 

The “Patan Patola” project not only lets Taiwan see how India artisans are still making the traditional double ikat woven sari, but also calls attention to how their local counterpats are also doing similar things and how both sides can interact.

 

The project, which began in October, is jointly organized by Prof. Chen Wan-Lee fron the Department of Theatre Design and Technology; Yuma Taru, who is devoted to preserving the traditional weaving and dyeing tecniques of the Atayal tribe; and dyeing artisan Tang Wenchun.

 

The project offers a series of lectures and workshops taking place at TNUA as well as      

the Raisinay Dyeing and Weaving Crafts Park in Miaoli, northern Taiwan.

 

The first lecture was given by Annapurna Mamidipudi, a researcher of Indian weaving and dyeing techniques. The speaker comes from the Salvi family, which is famous for making the Patan traditional double ikat woven sari.

 

Prof. Chen explained that the patola from Patan are world-famous woven fabrics. The Salvi family is the only one in Patan that still uses natural dyeing techniques that have passed down through 35 generations. The family won India’s National Award in 1978.

 

It is the first time that the Salvi family has agreed to reveal the secrets of their dyeing and weaving techniques – which involve 15 complicated and meticulous steps – openly at workshops, Prof. Chen said. A six-yard piece usually needs the collaborative work of four weavers and takes four to six months to complete. 

 

Another speaker, Dr. Annapurna Mamidipudi, also talked about the reconstruction of indigo dyeing in South India. The speaker, who is currently a researcher at the University of Maastricht, has been keen to preserve and promote traditional Indian arts and crafts. 

 

The activities at the Raisinay Dyeing and Weaving Crafts Park in Miaoli are meant to showcase and explore the possibilities of cross-cultural interactions.