Exquisite Jamdani saris on display. Photo: Mumit M.

A jamdani mela was held at the Wahid Academy, Dhanmondi from June 5-7. The exhibition was arranged by four women entrepreneurs- Hasina Ahmed, Sufia Sattar, Sharmin Shabnam Rahman and Nazneen Ahmed.
The saris, in the price range of Taka 4000-18,000, were in pastel hues as well as shades of bright blue, purple, magenta, among others. Each piece flaunted a unique pattern of the craft. The intricate motifs, meticulously woven by the hard-working jamdani karigors (weavers) of our country, gave each sari a touch of grandeur and perfection. From the contemporary black-white and black-red combinations, to the classic black, exquisite white and other equally magnificent pieces of the favourite attire of any Bangladeshi woman, the collection was a treat for jamdani enthusiasts.
The history of jamdani is as rich as the craft itself. "Jamdani is not only a craft; it is also a form of art which very few people can recognise. Through this exhibition, we tried to bring to people the wonders created by our skilled karigors, as well as highlight the dexterity and dedication with which they have been working over the centuries," said Hasina Ahmed.