NID book on 6 yards drapes overseas fans

After receiving good response in the international market, the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad is seeking to evoke a similar reaction to a book on saris prepared by it. The book, ‘Indian Saris: Traditions — Perspectives — Design’, will be launched nationwide on November 11.

The book received an international launch in London in April and around 3,000 copies have been sold since then. The book is now ready for a second print, along with the national launch. “The book got very good response after its launch in London. Around 3,000 copies of the first print have already been sold,” said Vijai Singh Katiyar, a faculty member at NID and author of the book.

While most copies of the book have been sold abroad, there has been considerable interest from buyers in Ahmedabad as well. The book has been available in local bookshops since the last one month. “The book was introduced in the Indian market around a month ago. In Ahmedabad, 35 copies have been purchased from an art book centre,” Katiyar said. Four copies have been sold by Nidus, the shop at the NID campus, since they were made available around 10 days ago.

Katiyar took around three-and-a-half years to prepare the book. Apart from writing and compiling the work, he has contributed many of the photographs as well as the design of the book. Of the products shown in the book, 80% have been designed by Katiyar himself.

“The book is not just about saris, but also reflects what NID has been doing to deal with the challenges and opportunities in the sector. Half of the book is devoted to the institute’s design philosophy, approach and methodology which should be adopted in the sector,” Katiyar said.

The book will receive its national launch at an event featuring Lok Sabha MP Chandresh Kumari as chief guest and leading fashion designer Ritu Kumar.