03
Jun 2025
2:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Drama Workshop
Mayoor Private School, 42th St, Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi- UAE
Rhythms, textures, and colours unite in intrinsic harmony as graceful gestures and flowing fabrics engage in an effortless interplay. The draped textiles which adorn dancers represent symbolic expression and cultural identity, and display a tactile discourse with their form, where every fold and pleat contributes to the spellbinding choreographic narrative.
The National Gallery
of Modern Art, Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India,
Avid Learning, VarnikaDesigns, and Kala Ghoda Association present
Dance of the Textiles. The seamless flow of dance and textiles takes
center stage as a diverse group of creative practitioners explores how fashion,
costume, and craft become vehicles to elevate and celebrate the art of
movement. From innovative haute couture designs to the rich heritage of
traditional garments, the discussion pays homage and remembers Contemporary
Dancer and Choreographer Padma Shri Astad Deboo, renowned for his
unique confluence of the Indian and the global.
Join us as we unravel the amalgamation of these
two art forms, each complementing and elevating the other.
Ritam Bannerjee seeks inspiration and challenge in diversity — rejecting, redefining, and bending genres to give his imagination and his images enough room to breathe. He shoots spas and slums, ketchup, and cars with the same intensity and focus that he reserves for Hollywood royalty and Fortune 500 CEOs. He plays no favorites between portraits and photojournalistic work, or advertising, architecture, automobiles, fashion, food, travel, and projects that fall between those stools. Known for his visual wit and high energy, Ritam’s craft is unorthodox, intuitive, and fun — and designed to draw out that invisible, elusive magic that lies ‘beyond the canvas’. In an age when conversations on cameras and lenses often become more important than the photographs themselves, he reminds his audiences about the power of simplicity. His Masterclasses with CNBC TV18 are a great example of that.
Read more
Award-winning textile designer Ashdeen Z. Lilaowala is known for invigorating and contemporizing the Parsi Gara embroidery tradition while retaining its essence. He studied textile design at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. A passionate researcher, he travelled across China, Iran, and India to immerse himself in the evolution of the Parsi Gara embroidery tradition. In 2013, he published Threads of Continuity – The Zoroastrian Craft of Kusti Weaving, a book that documents his seminal research on the traditional and vanishing craft of Zoroastrian Kusti weaving. He has taught textile and fashion students as a part-time lecturer at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, and has written extensively about the Parsi Gara craft in publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire and others. Lilaowala has several collaborations to his name including a recent collaboration with Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda to showcase the Parsi Gara experience at the prestigious Laxmi Vilas Palace in Baroda.
Read more
Monica Shah is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of JADE By Monica and Karishma, a leading luxury couture house in India. As a TED Speaker and advocate for craftsmanship, Monica has spearheaded JADE through notable initiatives such as the Grassroot Artisans Project. This project aims to craft a new visual language that transcends traditional frameworks by incorporating multiple crafts, adding depth, complexity, and modernity to the art form. Her commitment to Indian craftsmanship is also evident in the JADE Accessories collection in collaboration with PETA India, highlighting her vision for sustainable luxury. Monica's impact on the fashion industry has garnered prestigious awards, including Forces of Fashion 2023 by VOGUE India and the Contemporary Craftsman Designer Award 2022 by PETA India. Recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Luxury in India 2021 by Luxebook, Monica Shah continues to shape the landscape of luxury fashion with innovation and cultural advocacy.
Read more
Poulomi Das, Founder of VarnikaDesigns, is a Curator for cultural heritage access and inclusion, educator, blogger and a cultural interpreter leader. She has over 20 years of experience in research and documentation of Indian arts, textiles, and heritage. She curated the retrospective on contemporary dancer Astad Deboo called ‘Breaking Boundaries’ in December 2022. She has been a Senior Curator for the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. And has consulted with projects like the upcoming Lord Krishna Museum, Dwarka, the Bihar and Buddha Smriti Park Museums, Patna, the RBI’s Monetary Museum, Mumbai, and the Hiremath Art and Heritage Foundation. She is the Founder of the ‘The Museum Memories Project’ since April 2020, the only one in the world which invites memories of museums visited by individuals across the globe. Poulomi is a Nehru Trust and Charles Wallace Fellow and an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Fellow of the US government in 2010. She blogs at www.varnikadesigns.blog the website is www.varnikadesigns.com and www.themumeproject.com
Read more
The Symbiosis of
Dance and Textile
The intricate relationship between dance and textile is a testament to the
power of artistic synergy. As dancers move, their garments become an extension
of their bodies, creating a visual narrative beyond mere choreography. The
folds, drapes, and textures of the fabric respond to each gesture, amplifying
the emotional impact of the performance. This seamless integration of movement
and material showcases how two distinct art forms can combine to create a more
profound artistic expression, elevating dance and textile design to new heights
of creativity and cultural significance.
Cultural Storytelling Through Fabric and Movement
Textiles in dance serve as more than mere adornments; they
are vibrant canvases that tell stories of heritage, identity, and cultural
evolution. From the intricate patterns of traditional Indian textiles to the
sleek lines of contemporary designs, each piece of fabric carries within it a
narrative of its own. When combined with the expressive power of dance, these
textiles come alive, allowing performers to communicate complex cultural ideas
and emotions without uttering a single word. This theme explores how the
carefully chosen fabrics in dance performances can act as silent narrators,
enriching the storytelling aspect of the art form.
The Technical Mastery: Designing for Movement
Creating costumes for dance requires a unique set of skills
that blend fashion design with an understanding of movement and performance.
Designers must consider not only the aesthetic appeal of their creations but
also their functionality and durability under the demands of dance. The
technical challenges and innovations in textile design for dance, explore how
factors such as fabric weight, stretch, and drape are carefully considered to
enhance a dancer's performance while maintaining visual appeal. It is a
celebration of the often-unseen technical mastery that goes into creating
garments that are both beautiful and practical for the rigors of dance.
Sustainable Practices in Dance Costume
Design
In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of many
creative industries, the world of dance costume design is no exception. This
theme examines how designers are incorporating eco-friendly materials and
sustainable practices into their creations without compromising on artistic
vision or performance quality. From using organic fabrics and natural dyes to
repurposing traditional textiles, sustainable costume design is not just about
environmental responsibility—it's about respecting and preserving cultural
heritage while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. This
forward-thinking approach ensures that the art of dance costume design continues
to evolve in harmony with our planet.
Astad Deboo's Legacy: Bridging
Traditions and Innovation
Padma Shri Astad Deboo's illustrious career serves as a
powerful reminder of the transformative potential when traditional arts meet
contemporary vision. Known for his unique fusion of Indian and global dance
styles, Deboo's approach to costume and textile was equally revolutionary. His
innovative use of fabrics and designs in performances demonstrated how clothing
could be both a cultural statement and a tool for artistic expression. By
honoring Deboo's legacy, this event not only celebrates his contributions to
dance but also highlights the crucial role that textile choices play in shaping
the identity and impact of a performance.
