Weaving life into designs: Vinay shares special bond with Gadwal weavers
The mere thought of a lawyer brings to one’s mind a black robe, white shirt, trousers and a white necktie. But, the thought of Vinay Narkar will conjure up images of colours, sprawling dresses and trendy wear.
Vinay Narkar was a lawyer who left his job to pursue his passion for fashion designing and above all those descriptions, is a man who has been continuously working towards bringing the weavers from Gadwal, Mahbubnagar district, Telangana into mainstream fashion design. And now, he will host an exhibition in Hyderabad to work towards a favourable work environment for the next generation of weavers.
“I did my Masters from the National Law School, Bengaluru, and was working with a law firm in Mumbai in 2001. Back then, I got acquainted with the weavers from Gadwal, who were settled in Maharashtra. I would buy saris for my wife from them,” says Vinay.
However, his tryst with fashion designing started later. “Once, I designed a shawl, which I later presented to Oscar-winning costume designer Bhanu Athaiya. It was she who advised me to take this up as a profession. She also gave me a bulk order, after which I gathered some courage to work on her suggestion in 2009. And I had the support of my family in this path-breaking decision,” he says.
Soon, Vinay settled in Sholapur, which became his major activity zone. “My designs got a good response and I established a good rapport with the weavers in Gadwal, where nearly 50 looms are currently working on my designs. However, it was very difficult to convince the younger generation to take up weaving; they are more interested in moving to the cities. So, I try my best to convince the weavers to involve the younger generation in their works. I’m also in the process of integrating Ikat and Kuttu techniques that could create a new market for weavers. Pochampally and Gadwal weavers share techniques to create these designs. I’m also trying to replace the traditional zari with silk so that the product can be used for more occasions,” he explains.
Vinay says that a designer should have a great rapport with weavers. “It is very important that fashion designing students visit and interact with weavers.
Things cannot improve if ideas are discussed with master weavers or the middlemen. One has to understand the life of the weavers and work with them. For me, the weavers are my teachers,” he says.
— The writer is a musician and the creator of the ‘Jaywant Guitar’
