Muga Ghicha silk shawl with sappanwood dyed Eri silk and Brocade

Reshma is wearing Kaansi.

To me, Reshma is a powerful energy that can radiate love with complete abandon. Her ability to enable others while diversifying life experiences for herself inspires me. She is excited about everything because she celebrates everyone. She lovingly calls me “ice cold” because, against her warmth, all will appear “not warm enough”. Resh is an abundant, radiant blessing. Reshma is the muse to whom Kaansi belongs. Kaansi became Reshma’s as soon as she saw her. 

Beyond me, Reshma Jain is the Founder and Creative Director at The Narrators. She is a writer, curator, translator and singer. She has held positions such as editor of the bi-monthly magazine Marwar and columnist with Sunday Mid-Day, Deccan Chronicle, The Hindu, The Daily Mail-London, and other international publications. Reshma had also been invited as a keynote speaker at the Asian Women's Economic Conference on Women in Media in Yokohama, Japan. She has also been a facilitator and translator for the documentary: Mana Sapna—A Mother's Dream produced by Zurich University of the Arts. Under the leadership of her spiritual guide, she champions initiatives in the fields of education, women's empowerment, animal care, health care, child care, community care, environment care, humanitarian services, and emergency relief care.

Kaansi is made with Muga ghicha. Muga silk is a rare wild silk that derives its scientific name from Assam, the place of its origin, where this Muga silk was crafted. Muga Ghicha is first handspun and then woven on a throw shuttle loom. Not everyone can handle ghicha yarn, especially that of Muga. One needs to be seasoned in the craft. Weaving with the naturally spaced slub of Ghicha makes it a remarkable feat of craft, especially when it is handspun. 

Eri Silk that lines the borders along with Brocade is naturally dyed with Sappanwood or Brazilwood, handspun, and woven on a throw shuttle loom in rural Assam.

Kaansi is a one-of-a-kind textile designed to highlight a unique coming together of various techniques and creativity of handcraft. This design will not be recreated.

Param did the beadwork 

Gurmail, the tailor

Narmohan Dada, the master wild silk pioneer

Mumma, Madhu, patchwork technical eyes and segregating hands

Midtoan.com, the photographer

Designed by Ritika