Satranji : Weaving for a cause

Elegance and splendour on display

The charm of Satranji was evident both in palaces and huts. Recently, the lyrical beauty of the Satranji was on display at the lounge of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. Hanging on walls, placed on a traditional Palanko( the highly decorative antique bed of kings, nawabs and zamindars), the soft lighting created a dreamy atmosphere with splashes of bright colours at the exhibition premises.

With the title 'Colour Your Home with Village Art', a three-day exhibition started on October 3. The organiser was famous designer Bibi Russell in collaboration with Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The exhibition is a fund raiser.' Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital. The rest of the funds will go to the North Bengal weaver community who made these magnificent rugs,' said Bibi. 'We are focusing on the women weavers of Rangpur. They have suffered a series of natural adversities- the harmful flood, devastating rains and drought. Consequently, these people are uncertain about how to celebrate Eid. And thus this show has been organised to generate money for them before Eid.'

The venue, she adds, is ideal. To quote her, 'The lounge of Sonargaon is the best place for such an exhibition as the foreigners are also likely to be attracted to it. Secondly, the hotel is not charging for the venue.'

Manabu Komatsu, Resident Manager of Pan Pacific Sonargaon, is equally enthusiastic about the exhibition.' There is a side to Bangladesh apart from its poverty and natural calamities. The colourful life of the village people and their crafts charm the foreigners. These rugs are so magnificent that one can hang them on walls as paintings.' He adds that this is an opportune time for getting more attention from the dignitaries and foreigners.'

In the exhibition, around 80 Satranjis made of 100 percent jute, are on display with various colours and designs in folk tradition. From Pilpa, which was known as Hatipaya to Jafri, Itkhati, Latai the traditional mingled with modern designs depicting the motifs of elephant footprints, motifs from Jamdani and the intrinsic geometrical patterns. About the designs Bibi says, ' The traditional motifs are absolutely superb. What I do is add some modern concepts to it with colour separations.'

The price range of the 46 feet Satranji is Taka 1,000. Apart from the rugs, there are colourful bamboo baskets, trays and chairs. Papier mache notebooks, photo-stands and gorgeous boxes are also on view at the exhibition.

'I am looking forward to the sale as it may help the weavers of North Bengal,' concluded Bibi.

The exhibition ends today.