The Fashion Design Council of India recently opened up their annual fashion show with a short film ‘Road to Chanderi’ in New Delhi. Shot by eminent designer Samant Chauhan, the two minute, 17 second film features poetry by Paramlal Param, an educationist from Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh.
The film became more appealing with the rhythmic and poetic voice-over by former union minister and Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia.
“The film depicts a fine blend of Chanderi’s heritage as well as its traditions. It not only talks about the tradition of weaving but also of the history of the place and architectural and environmental legacy. And complementing the visuals is the poetry – ‘Chanderi Ki Jhanki’ penned down by a very learned man. It was a great opportunity to contribute to such a project,” Scindia told HT.
The Congress leader participated in the fashion show and even walked the ramp along with eminent designers and showstopper actress Aditi Rao Hydari.
‘Road to Chanderi’ depicts the weavers of Chanderi processing threads and weaving cloth in large looms with famous heritage sites in the backdrop.
FDCI president Sunil Sethi said, “For the opening show, 16 designers were asked to create four ensembles each interpreting Chanderi in their own way. While they were working on their individual themes, I remembered of some incredible pictures that I saw of this small town some years back. Then I called up Samant Chauhan (the director of the film) and asked him to revisit the place for the film. Chanderi has been talked about a lot but still a lot remains unexplored. We are trying to bring it to the forefront of fashion and our focus is to bring an international recognition to it.”
{{/usCountry}}FDCI president Sunil Sethi said, “For the opening show, 16 designers were asked to create four ensembles each interpreting Chanderi in their own way. While they were working on their individual themes, I remembered of some incredible pictures that I saw of this small town some years back. Then I called up Samant Chauhan (the director of the film) and asked him to revisit the place for the film. Chanderi has been talked about a lot but still a lot remains unexplored. We are trying to bring it to the forefront of fashion and our focus is to bring an international recognition to it.”
{{/usCountry}}Chauhan, eminent fashion designer and the director of the film, was working on a book on weaving crafts of India when he visited Chanderi in 2010. “I never knew a small village-like place can be so happening. Weaving Chanderi is too intricate but the craftsmen are so passionate about it that they go on spending months on just one product. And not only the art, the whole place oozes positivity in you, a perfect place for an artist to be,” he said.