Kashi sends a 'kadhua' saree for Michelle Obama

VARANASI: The First lady of US Michelle Obama will get a beautiful handloom saree from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kashi during her visit to India.A piece of Banarasi 'Kadhua' saree, an exclusive product of this region that is facing the threat of extinction, has been dispatched from here for Michelle Obama, who is arriving India with US President Barrack Obama to attend the Republic Day celebration in New Delhi.

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A signature handloom product of Varanasi region, one piece of 'Kadhua' saree takes 3-4 months engaging at least three persons to complete, says Abdul Matin, whose family has been in handloom weaving for three generations. "We came to know about Michelle Obama's fascination to Banarasi fabric through one of trusted men of Obama - Frank Islam, a native of Azamgarh who is also an admirer of Banarasi handloom," said Matin displaying a full range of exclusive Banarasi handloom products at his work place-cum-home in Pilikothi locality. The saree was sent to Delhi with a special messanger, he said without disclosing the identity of the messenger.

"The main objective of presenting 'Kadhua' saree to Michelle is to draw the attention of international community to the mastery of handloom weavers in producing such intricate and colourful designs on the loom," said Matin. The cream colour saree with cotton base and decorated with golden and silver zari work costs around Rs 1.25 lakh, he said adding that the art of 'kadhua' weaving today is facing a stiff challenge from the power loom sector. Besides, there is also a shortage of skilled weavers in handloom sector that is facing a tough time, he said.

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"If the first lady of the US accepts this gist and shows her interest in Banarasi fabrics, we hope that the business of Banarasi handloom industry will flourish, said Matin, who also supplied Kimkhab to Abhishek Bachchan for his sherwani and other Bollywood celebrities.

"Kadhua is an exclusive technique of handloom weaving in Varanasi region, and it cannot be imitated on power loom," said Dr. Rajani Kant, president of Human Welfare Association who played a key role in fetching Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Banarasi brocade and saree. The cost and time in making a piece of kadhua saree depends on its design and colour, he said adding that it is a pure handloom product produced only in this region. It is different from embroidery, as all the decorative works are done on the loom only while weaving. There is two technique of weaving -'kadhua' and 'fekua', he said adding that the kadhua weaving requires 2-3 or more persons while only one person can weave a plain saree with 'fekua' technique. "The other fame handloom product of Banaras is 'Kimkhab' that costs Rs 4000 to 5000 per meter, and it takes a day in weaving 4-6 inches only," said Kant.
Source-TOI