COMMEMORATION OF CENTENARY OF CHAMPARAN AGITATION

Centenary of ChamparanAgitation was commemorated this year. For Gandhiji, Champaran was the crucible in which the philosophy of civil disobedience was forged on Indian soil. For the freedom struggle, the agitation was a catalyst for unleashing patriotism through the ‘Swadeshi Movement. In this regard NIFT had proposed various events at 15 NIFT campuses, to mark the occasion of the Centenary.

In order to disseminate information regarding the Champaran Agitation and to contextualize Indigo dye and its significance in Indian culture and fashion, series of events were organized on the theme of Indigo by NIFT across its 16 campuses.

Indigo Talks:Lectures were organized in all NIFT Campuses with the aim to spread awareness regarding the importance of the centenary of the Champaran Movement and to draw attention towards the use of natural dyes especially indigo. More than 20 eminent textile designers, historians and experts were invited across 15 NIFT campuses, to deliver lectures on the subject.

Lecture-Demonstration:Lec-Dem by prominent Indigo dyers and experts were organized in NIFT campuses. 15 lec- dem workshops were conducted for all NIFT students.

Travelling Exhibition focussing on Indigo: An illustrative exhibition on versatility of Indigo dye was curated which was inaugurated at NIFT- Patna on 19th April 2016. The exhibition illustrates the history of Indigo and Champaran agitation of Indigo cultivators. The exhibition showcases the timelines of Indigo dyeing, garments designed by students and alumni, textiles made under India Handloom Brand (IHB) and swatches dyed with Indigo and other natural dyes. More than 2000 people visited the exhibition in Patna.Parts of the display were also exhibited at the NIFT Pavilion at the Textiles India 2017, held in Gandhinagar. The exhibition then travelled to NIFT Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai. It was well received in all five cities. It will finally culminate in Delhi in November 2018.