Weavers festival ends in capital

The first International Weavers Festival closed on Saturday night at the capital's Army Museum field, with a display of indigenous taaNt (handloom) and Mirpuri Benarasi fabrics.

The three-day festival that aimed at showcasing and boosting our traditional fabrics and weaves had earlier showcased traditional fabrics Khadi, Jamdani, Gamchha and Muslin, with the participation of a number of fashion brands from home and abroad. Some 25 designers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka took part in the festival.

A total of 12 taaNt artisans were honoured on the closing day. They came on the stage on rickshaws, and were received by models. Artisan Sharat Mala Chakma was accorded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the craft.

A mock village, where craftsmen and artisans demonstrated their craft of weaving Khadi, Gamchha and Jamdani materials, also drew audience interest.

Like the previous two days, the event closed with a concert, featuring Indian singer Arko Mukherjee and Bangladesh's James.