The Class Distinction of Textiles – Taara and Taarika

The Karuna Dolls being made by Disha. Kakoli, Parvati, Mousumi and Krishna. The festive season was on and Bengal celebrates all with gusto. Kakoli and Parvati opted out due to family commitments. Mousumi and Krishna sportingly agreed to put in some hard work and get it done on time. We were making Taarikas (Baby Taras). They came to the Centre accompanied by their daughters. Mousumi’s daughter a bright young girl watched the making with great interest and then thoughtfully asked why we were making dolls which were poor.

I was stumped. The Gamchha, a towel used by the Bengali lower classes extensively one never realized that children noticed and absorbed such trivia. I fumbled and resolutely said that these were Tara, Shiv’s better half and since he was an ascetic his family practiced austerity. The girl was not convinced as she witnesses the pomp and pageantry and luxury associated with the Puja Bonanza.

BibiRussel brought this humble “Gamchha” into the mainstream of fashion. Khadi has been the fabric of patriots. Are these stereotypes? Are there other textiles with such associations.The swish of Benarasis for royalty, the Balucharis commissioned by the Nawabs. The reasons are aplenty for connection of textiles to lifestyles! Do textiles have politics attached to their weaves? Set me thinking!

As we celebrate the victory of this dusky Goddess who triumphs over evil> I love the Taras. Therefore

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