Saundh’s digitally printed collection showcases lesser-known art forms such as Ganjifa, Soura, Thangka, Rogan and Sohrai Khovar.
The depiction of traditional folk art in Indian fashion is nothing new – we have appreciated and bought Kalamkari saree and scarf, or decorated dresses Madhubani hand painting or warli Art. But, as seen in the new collection from Surat-based indie brand Soundh, the focus is now on highlighting lesser-known techniques. Their newly launched Kalp Haat collection consists of five capsules where tribal and folk art forms of Ganjifa, Soura, Thangka, Rogan and Sohrai Khovar are digitally printed on clothing.
digital art debate
- The use of digital prints of handmade art has been a matter of concern in India – be it a gondo painting or a ikat In the past, or recently, when designer Sabyasachi was criticized for using digital prints sanganeri And Kalamkari, among other ancient forms, for their association with the international brand H&M. So, fashion writers have started asking some tough questions. Are traditional art and its creators getting lost in this process of commercialization and digital reproduction? So are we depriving artists of opportunities?
- Speaking on the occasion, Saluja says, “Soundh was established with the aim of providing designer wear to a large audience at an accessible price point. While we are inspired by the rich crafts and cultural heritage of India, the brand, since its inception, has been using digital prints in its collections. So far, we have not incorporated handcrafted techniques or worked with artisans to revive Indian crafts. We are inspired by the everyday art we see around us, which is then reimagined in collections, offering our own perspectives on these concepts. “
Sarabjit Saluja, CEO and Founder, Indian and Indo-Western Wear (Saris, Jackets, etc.) says, “Our design team has taken inspiration from the motifs and colors used in these traditional art forms and created a modern printed reinterpretation of them ” collection.
for example, Sohrai Khowari, an art form from Jharkhand (which now carries a GI tag), is traditionally used to decorate the wedding hall of the bride and groom and during the harvest season. It usually depicts the flora and fauna of neighboring forests and valleys, and the murals are created using broken combs. “Our in-house artists also used broken combs to create the art, which was then digitally printed onto the fabrics,” he explains, adding that they only use natural fibers and fabrics, which are cotton. and are dominated by silk.
NS Ganjifa Capsule is based on the colorful hand painted card game made popular by the Mughals. Traditional designs, for their intricate details and floral motifs, have been printed on long, flowing shirt. For Saura, the tribal art form found on the walls of houses in villages of eastern India, mostly in Odisha, it is highlighted met Applique, tassel and thread embroidery in this collection. Comes from Kutch region in the west thickener, is known for its intricate geometric flowers, peacock, tree of life motifs.
Design inspired by Tibetan Buddhist art, thangka, featuring mountains and rolling clouds, and printed on evening wear – classic anarkali, and elegant long suits, crushed bamboo brocade scarf even more. “We are careful not to use any religious symbols” [perhaps playing it safe to avoid any controversy that may arise out of the use of religious imagery in fashion],” concluded Saluja.
Kalp Haat price on saundh.com starts from Rs 2,995
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