Jamdani- Weaving our heritage

Jamdani is a flamboyantly patterned pure cotton fabric, that is hand loomed by craftsmen. Its prominence lies in the elegant handmade sarees that drape the women of Bengal and beyond. However, over the years, the age old craft was losing much of its context, and reached a stage where revival was of utmost importance.

Yesterday, a book was launched, titled Traditional Jamdani Designs, in the Main Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum. A joint initiative was undertaken by Bangladesh National Museum and National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, in an effort to revitalize the art. The project proceeded with the endowment from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). After intensive research into the craft, all the knowledge gathered was documented and published in the form of a book titled Traditional Jamdani Designs. The pages try to encapsulate the gradual metamorphosis and the techniques practiced, in details, with plenty of illustrious patterns. The publishers also decided to include the name and contact information of more than 200 artisans along with their designs.

Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, Minister of Cultural Affairs graced the event as the chief guest. U.S. Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat also attended as the special guest along with Md. Rafiqul Islam, Chandra Shekhar Shaha and more.

Marcia Bernicat (L) and Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, (R) appreciating the Jamdani on display.