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Project Brief

Project Name: Research Center and Museum for the Traditional Textiles
of Bangladesh
Site: Tangail- Dhaka Highway,Korotia,Bangladesh
Site Area: 304920 sqft (7 Acre)
Client: Bangladesh Tat Board

Project Introduction

Looking back into the history of the Bengal in the Indian subcontinent,
traditional handloom textiles have been an integral part of our rich
heritage for a long time. The Bengal has been blessed and subsequently
awed at for the works produced with the likes of intricately delicate
materials such as the Muslin, and thereafter the Cotton and the Silk.
Historically, handloom has got its predominance and heritage deeply
rooted in Bangladesh. In itself, the tradition of weaving cloth by hand is
one of the richer aspects constituting Bangladeshi culture. The level of
artistic prowess and intricacy achieved in such fabrics are unique and
unparalleled. The handloom can meet a wide range of uses, from the
needs of the daily life to being an exquisite heirloom.
According to the Bangladesh Handloom Board, the handloom sector in
Bangladesh consists of more than 1.83 lakh handloom units with 5.05 lakh
handlooms and about 10 lakh handloom weavers of which about 50% are
female workers. A manpower of about one million weavers, dyers, hand
spinners, embroiderers and allied artisans have been using their creative
skills into more than 3 lakh active looms to produce around 6870 lakh
meters of fabrics annually. Production of these handloom fabrics is
diffused in numerous production centers all over the country which are
linked up by a network of primary, secondary and central markets.
There are over 25 different kinds of weaves in Bangladesh and easily over
50 different crafts, but despite their diversity the crafts in Bangladesh are
dying. We have limited access to them and by the time they reach our
shelves they have been rendered too conventional and uninspiring, and
lost its true character.
On most occasions it is also true that the creators of these beautiful crafts
sink deeper into poverty, paying the middleman. The government has not
done enough in terms of grants. This is where designers have stepped in
over the years. The established designers and brands have long been
involved in the revival of many home-grown traditions. There is a
resurgence of interest that has been mutually beneficial and has to a
great extent brought to the forefront many obscure traditions in
handlooms and handmade products. The designers are enthusiastic about
defining the spirit of the times. A vibrant makeover is just what is needed
to stay relevant to the new generation wearing them. To bring much
needed exposure to these crafts and quench the interests of many
enthusiasts, a museum that depicts the rich history of our textiles, along
with a research center that will work with the weavers and designers for
the development of these crafts is what this proposal aims to entail.

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