Crafting Change, a public event by the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (SMI) Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) with Art in Transit lab, was held in the city to mark Gandhi Jayanti 2024 led by Faculty Members Swati Maskeri, Sadhvi Jawa , students of SMI and Material & Textile designer Saumya Singh from the Centres of Excellence at SMI. The event took place at Cubbon Park Metro Station on October 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrating the philosophy of Khadi and the importance of handmade, self-resilient textile systems for economic freedom and self-sufficiency.
According to Swati Maskeri, Head of Studies, Industrial Arts & Design Practices at SMI, industrial textile systems have long been extractive, polluting ecosystems and perpetuating unsustainable practices. She emphasized the urgency to revisit cultural modes of production, consumption, repair, and reuse, reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi’s understanding of people and planet as part of the moral economy. Gandhiji’s promotion of spinning, weaving, and khadi she believes was not just an economic or political statement but a profound ecological act.
Numerous small exhibits, activities, and workshops formed part of Crafting Change. These included:
Mend and Make Workshop by Anugraha Giri & Shriya Kannan Participants learned to mend and revitalize damaged clothes using simple techniques like patchwork and visible mending, promoting mindful engagement and creative expression.
Community Weaving Workshop by Sanghamitra M : Attendees celebrated the essence of Bhavani Jamakkalam, a traditional woven carpet from Erode, Tamil Nadu, by creating a modern reinterpretation using scrap and old fabrics.
Eco Printing Workshop by Amulya Giri : This workshop explored Bangalore’s plant life through eco-printing, a natural dyeing technique using leaves, flowers, and other plant materials to create nature-inspired prints on fabric.
Deccani Wool Showcase by the Centres of Excellence: The exhibit showcased the heritage of Deccani wool and the life of shepherd communities across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the significance of Deccani sheep and their wool in maintaining ecological balance. The showcase was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Pastoralism.
Brown Cotton Story by the Centres of Excellence: This exhibit displayed the journey of naturally coloured brown cotton from North Karnataka, cultivated sustainably and supporting rural economies. It demonstrated the importance of this unique cotton in traditional textile practices. This exhibit was organised in collaboration with Udaanta, under the brand name Kandu.
Fabric Footprints by Ruhi Bhalerao An interactive survey that helped young participants visually understand their relationship with clothes by making visible a consumption pattern of their habits, choices and motivations to use textile particularly with fast fashion .
Faculty member Yash Bhandari from SMI, highlighted the significant contribution of fast fashion to textile waste, particularly with non-recyclable polyester. He emphasized the need to encourage a culture of personalization, repair, and repurposing. The initiative’s vision extends to creating convenient, everyday spaces for mending and customizing fibre textiles, making sustainable fashion accessible to all.
The event successfully brought together a community dedicated to sustainable practices and mindful textile creation, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to incorporate these values into their own lives.
This event was supported by the volunteers : Athiq Ahmed, Andrea Susan Mathews, Anshu, Fayeeza, Sinchana, Munibyallapa, Anand G, Selva S, Meera, Suhani and staff of BMRCL.
Registrations over 120+ .
Attendees and participants 150+
Organic interactions 600+ Commuters, curious audiences and friends of participants.