THE VARANASI WEAVER’S ATELIER

AND
EXHIBITION CENTRE

Submitted by
Anshika Chandra
DIT University, Faculty of Architecture

Guide:
Ar. Monikuntala Das

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CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Weavers in Varanasi
 Craft clusters
 Declination in handloom sector
 Growth of power looms in India
 Why Varanasi?
3. Aim
4. Objective
5. Feasibility of project
6. Site
7. Methodology
8. Requirements
9. Live Case study

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INTRODUCTION

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India is the only country in the world with an unbroken, living vibrant tradition of
crafts. While agriculture employs the largest number of people in India, the crafts
sector is next and sustains over 20 million practitioners.
Handicrafts are matchless expressions as they represent culture, tradition, and
heritage of a country. Craftsmen and Artisans can produce products in unlimited
numbers without any negative impact on sustainability.

WEAVERS IN VARANASI

Varanasi, one of the oldest cities of India, is the fifth largest city, in lieu to population
in Uttar Pradesh. The city houses weavers, considering the fact that weaving is what
Varanasi is known for, apart from the rich culture, the city embodies. The traditional
'benarasi' weave has occupied a pride of place in weaving traditions of India. It is also
an art form representing a composite Hindu-Muslim culture. Muslims constitute over
80 per cent of the weavers. While weaving is male-dominated (with 98% of the
weavers being men), the whole household (including women and children) is actively
involved in the weaving. Women and children provide important assistance in pre-
loom and post-loom finishing work
Textiles such as Benarasi saree, Jamdani cotton, Kora cutwork, Resham Buti saree etc
have evolved over the years with the changing audience and their taste.

CRAFT CLUSTERS:
Varanasi town and its surrounding villages have a high concentration of weaving
centers, all of which together make up the Benaras handloom cluster. Some of the
main centers, and the work they are known for are:

 Kotwa: Jangla ,kaduwa

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DECLINATION IN HANDLOOM SECTOR:
Weaving trade has been shaken over the last few decades as POWER LOOMs offer a
cheaper and fast way to produce the same goods, 6-12m of cloth in one day whereas
it can take a weaver weeks to create the same, as result half of the weavers had to
migrate to some other place for their livelihood and others changed their profession
And stated working as rickshaw puller, peons etc.

 Sector-wise production of textile in India

GROWTH OF POWERLOOMSIN INDIA:

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AVERAGE MONTHLY PRODUCTION OF HANDLOOM FABRICS IN UTTAR PRADESH:

In the state of U.P., the growth of handloom production has been drastically declined
during 1987-88 to 1995- 96.
Reasons can be:

 Low wage rate of weavers, their poor living conditions forced handloom workers
to migrate from handloom sector and therefore the employment and production
is decreasing in handloom industry.
 The inadequate supply or non-availability of material at reasonable prices to
handloom units

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WHY VARANASI?
It is estimated that there are more than 90,000 weavers in Varanasi weaving cluster
and it is one of the largest geographical concentrations of handloom weavers in the
country. Uttar Pradesh contributes 5.9% of total handloom weavers in India and
Varanasi contributes 37% of total handloom weavers present in Uttar Pradesh.

Handloom in Varanasi is largely a household based activity and carried out with labor
contributed by whole family.

Graph presenting the declining picture of handloom weaver household in Varanasi by

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AIM
To develop a design for weavers and artisans providing them platform for fair market
access to compete with increasing use of power looms and cheap factory labor.
It will also attempt to elevate the perception and value of Varanasi handloom silk,
bringing awareness to and praise for the luxurious craft through tourist’s
contribution

OBJECTIVES
 To improve the livelihoods of the weavers while developing an atmosphere
of harmony.
 To cover large section of weavers and other artists of Varanasi and nearby areas.
 To create space for tourists to bring awareness for Varanasi handlooms
 To develop the facilities and amenities at the center like library, training Centre,
auditorium so that tourists, learners can be served in most functional and
aesthetical way.
 Attract more footfalls, encourage extended stays.

FEASEABILITY
Factory production has led to a 50% decline in traditional handloom over the past 10
years, due to which the condition of weavers is worsening day by day. Creating a
need of a platform for the weavers and generating revenue within the designed
premises by inviting tourists

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SITE
Location - Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Project size - ~25,000 square meters
Budget - Rs 10 crore
Stakeholders – NEST – a New York based NGO
loom to luxury – a handloom silk weaving enterprise in Varanasi
Maiyet

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METHODOLOGY

 Research work for project

 Site selection

 Data collection

 Live Case study literature study

 Comparative analysis inferences

 Framing of requirements and area analysis

 Conceptual design and sketches

 Development of design

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REQUIREMENTS:
 Workshops for weavers and other artisans
 Shops in open as well as close space
 Exhibit halls
 Display areas
 auditorium
 Library with human-information interaction
 Amphitheatre for different activities (nukkad natak , performances during
festivals )
 Space for outsiders to stay
 Green spaces
 Roof gardens
 Cafes
 Material-based design approach in architectural forms where form generating
process is informed by the combination of material properties and behavior as
well as environmental constraints.

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LIVE CASE STUDY
1. SARGAALAYA, KERALA
Location – Iringal, Kozhikode district
Area- 20 acres
Project cost – 15 crores
 Sargaalaya is an initiative of the Department of Tourism, Government of
Kerala...
 Platform for exhibition, sales and craft-making
 Learning center for tourists

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1. AWADH SHILPGRAM, LUCKNOW
A platform to encourage craftsmen and promote themselves.
A leisure space for locals with a rich culture, a legacy of crafts and heritage.

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2. SHILPGRAM, UDAIPUR
 Shilpgram, the ‘Village of Crafts’ is a large 70 acre complex committed to rural
crafts and art of India.
 The village is a living ethnographic museum with the aim of drawing attention
to the lifestyles and creativity of the western states of India.
 The village also serves as an opportunity to increase interactions between rural
and urban artists.
 In and around the huts of different communities, see exhibitions and interact
with blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, potters, women doing embroidery
work, and other skilled veterans.

3. SHILPARAMAM, HYDERABAD

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