Crafting textiles has been a means of social cohesion, storytelling space, wisdom sharing, and preserving traditions for millenia. Textiles have brought together communities and have acted as bridges for cross-cultural understanding and cultural preservation for future generations. Nikita brings the culture of textiles from the grassroots of India through academic and public education. Explore some of her offerings and work..
Introduction to Kalamkari
Kalamkari is a 3,000-year-old textile craft that tells originated as a medium of storytelling using a bamboo pen and natural dyes. This traditional art form involves at least 23 individual stages is currently practiced only in Sri Kalahasti, India.
The workshops consists of a live demonstration and a simultaneous critical discussion of its history. Participants learn to create a simple piece of kalamkari.
This course has been adapted for semester long academic teaching as well, focusing in-depth on the trade, colonization and evolution.
Fursat — फ़ुसर्त — فر†صت
Inspired by the concept of Fursat, a term used across South Asian languages that invokes a unique sense of “leisure,” “reflection,” and “wisdom,” Fursat is a semester based series of workshops where one comfortably learns textile techniques like Kalamkari and embroideries like mirror work, phulkari, kutchi work, and appliqué.
Fursat is at the convergence of creating, healing and gathering in community that is located primarily at Nikita's studio.
Fursat has also been adapted in public spaces like libraries and community centres.
This syllabus is developed for academic teaching, is divided into two semesters. The first semester covers the history of South Asian textiles, including woven, embroidered, printed, and painted fabrics, as well as the practice in a studio setting.
The second semester focuses on the history of South Asian dress and fashion, with an emphasis on the practice and techniques of various indigenous sari drapes.
This syllabus is flexible and can be adapted for focused studies, allowing for both shorter or longer course durations.