Contemporizing garo artisan traditions with Dakmanda design interventions

Contemporising art and tradition infuse new life into conventional elements and keeps ancient designs and techniques alive. Meghalaya is a treasure trove of varied culture and tradition which is clearly reflected in the people’s attires. Garo women wear a wrap known as Dakmanda, traditional handloom fabric. Traditional diverse collection of Dakmanda Garo handloom textile has to curated to represent the potential that exists in the craft space. Now this is the time to introduce youth to the fresh, modern world of India’s craft inheritance. Traditional fabrics and handloom designs can be used to turn these into a contemporary outfit catering to today’s modern generation. In order to preserve Dakmanda handloom craft, Garo craftsmen have to contemporize their traditional art for youth. There is immense possibility to create a synergy between industrial designers and artisan groups to stimulate the development and preservation of a local craft in a sustainable and commercially viable way. Dakmanda weaving is a traditional handloom textile practiced by generations of Garo artisans. In present study an effort was done to reinvent Dakmanda designs and simulation of these design interventions on cotemporary dresses which appeal to youth of Meghalaya. This study can cultivate the local craft industry and empower artisans to further their own innovations. Design intervention is a process that involves designing new products; redesigning existing products, with changes in shape, size, colour, surface manipulation, function and utility; exploring new markets and reviving lapsed markets; and introduction of new materials, new processes, new tools and technologies. It is seen as an interface between traditional and modernity, that matches craft production to the needs of modern living. Despite the potentially strong relationship between craft and sustainability, there is still only limited research exploring this relationship and how craft can more effectively contribute to contemporary industry. Findings of present study provide an analysis of the current Garo handloom textile crafts in the Meghalaya and identify the challenges and potential for design interventions in this region.