A basic issue
I would like to emphasise that we are very rich in clothing culture. Our muslin or mul-mul reigned the west for a long time. It is saddening that we have failed to carry on with our heritage of handlooms. Fortunately, our cut and sew in the RMG sector is overwhelmingly successful.
Right after liberation, our film industry stalwarts adamantly banned screening of Indian or Pakistani movies commercially. After some thirty odd years we find and know we have an industry of our own and often it is bringing in laurels (maybe small in number) from abroad. The protection has proven effective.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Can we draw an analogy? Can we build up an apparel and fashion industry of our own and produce and use fabrics sparingly for every occasion. Is there already a process going on?
We need personalities who can mobilise people to appreciate local products. We need people like Prof. Younus, Dr Jafarullah, Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Dr Zafar Iqbal, just to name a few to show us the true colours we have within our inner self: the colour that was adorned by the world. The designs, the motifs, textures and applications in various items will boost the industry, and maybe it will bring in more laurels and frequent applause from all corners of the world.
Those who can afford should include an expensive jamdani or silk or katan/ Mirpuri saree for the bride, a fine silk achkan for the bridegroom. Use spontaneously local Tangail sarees, taat with blocks and batiks for gaye halud (pre-wedding ceremony) programmes. In five years' time we will indeed discard foreign dresses. Our materials and designs will be of international quality and affordable to most of the people.
Let us make it a new year's pledge. Seal the borders and open the boundaries!
We will stand high competing with all leading designers across the region and far away. We have the talent. We need patrons from private and public sectors.