NIDian plans to graduate in style to help Andhra craftsmen

This year's NID graduates have a plan which they propose to put forward to their convocation in-charge and other faculty members of the institute. The proposal, which bids to change the convocation outfits, would not only help students with their project work but would also help a few craftsmen of Andhra Pradesh.

Priyanka Baliyan, student of Textile Apparel Design at NID, had worked for six months with handloom weavers of AP during January-July 2010, where she educated the weavers to work with modern technology. Priyanka introduced them to newer applications of weaving, which included colours to create new accessories.

"In 2007, I worked in a village named Ponduru situated in Srikakulam district of AP. While I was working on a documentary on naturally grown red cotton in the village, I decided to work with the weavers for my graduation project. My aim was to work with the people who create such alluring garments and accessories and then bring them to metropolitan cities for sale," said Priyanka.

As she worked in Hyderabad with Chitrika Artisan Development Foundation NGO, she used to visit Ponduru once a month and work with the weavers for a week. However, in July she stayed with them for the entire month and conducted a workshop. She made the weavers realise their strengths and weaknesses and educated them about the changes they need to incorporate in their work style. This would enable them to earn a good amount of money. 
The weavers still create kuppadams for dhotis and sarees, which are no longer wore by the urban crowd. So I persuaded them to create dupattas which can also be worn as stoles. These are and will always be an instant hit with the metropolitan community, stated Priyanka. 

She wanted the stoles ready for the convocation this year, but the plan didn't materialise as the weavers were busy working on an order till April 2011. "The plan is to promote work done by such weavers and craftsmen and this will be implemented by bringing about change in their produce. The transformed new produce will thus be used and worn by the NIDians at their convocation function. I will conduct another workshop next year with the weavers and encourage them to use the dupattas for 2011's convocation uniform too," Priyanka said.