The Department of Textiles celebrated the 8th National Handloom Day with the inauguration of the Design, Innovation & Resource Centre, (DIRC) at Umden-Diwon, Raid Nongtluh in Ri-Bhoi district today.
The centre was setup with a focus on Ahimsa silk, organic dyes, women centric and global presence aspects.
Commissioner & Secretary, Textiles FR Kharkongor said the DIRC can emerge as a setup to showcase and establish market linkages between the village and the outside world, leveraging on the unique Ryndia brand with tagline “From Thread to Trend”, anchored on the motto “Rooted in Nature, Connected to Culture”.
Kharkongor hoped that the centre could contribute substantially towards, meeting the aspirations of the weavers, spinners, not only of the Umden-Diwon, the first Eri Silk village, but would also prove immensely beneficial to the neighbouring villages of Raid Nongtluh in terms of capacity building, design upscale, financial assistance, promotion, selling and marketing, while also integrating the sector with the latest technologies in the handloom and textiles sectors.
The Director, Sericulture and Weaving stated that the DIRC will facilitate a space for an interactive platform between artisans, weavers, industry and design students through exclusive display areas, specialised lab, resource centre and design activities.
Minister of Textiles, Banteidor Lyngdoh hoped that the centre would emerge as a repository and inventory of various handloom samples and designs available at the first Eri Silk village.
Nongpoh MLA, Mayralborn Syiem congratulated the department hoped that it would further facilitate designers and researchers in enhancing the quality of the products through exporters, manufacturers, weaver and other stakeholders.
Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, Arpit Upadhyaya highlighted the collaboration with NIFT to ensure that the DIRC would continue to emerge as an important centre which is pioneering in its professional portrayal and presentation of Eri Silk products, unique to the village.
Expressing hope that the centre will generate design research outcomes in the specially designed display areas he also remarked that the centre will provide unique branding and identify to the colour, motif, usage, organic dyeing and usage of looms through appropriate visual merchandising.
Other technical resource persons dwelt on aspects such as visual merchandising of interior to create inspiring spaces, designing and creation of various sections (Cocoon, spinning, reeling, dyeing and designing, weaving, exhibition space, documentations & Archival, conference and workshop space), Training of in-house human resource for ongoing visual mode, aspects such as Organic dye, Ahimsa Silk, women centric and global presence, allowing users to view and learn about the Eri Weavers and their craft, giving users an opportunity to understand of the processes and products involved, and to enhance the visitors experience of viewing information through the use of a variety of displays in regard to Meghalaya’s Unique Ryndia.
During the programme, leading handloom production houses such as Kiniho, Zong I Hi, Nangcwa, Ri Last, Sailum and Eri Weaves were given recognition for their contribution to the handloom sector in the state by instilling pride amongst their weavers and bringing honour to the state through their exquisite weaving craftsmanship.
A vibrant traditional costume displays and colourful exhibition were the other highlights of the day.
Earlier in the day the National Tricolour was unfurled at the venue amidst the enthusiastic flag waving of the various participants and weavers in support of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
