February 7-24 and November 17-December 4, 2008
Click Here for a Detailed Initerary
On this special trip, we travel through north and west India, exploring diverse cultures as we learn about the regional textiles, jewelry and crafts. We will stop in Rajasthan to visit the block printers of Jaipur, tie dye masters of Jodhpur and watch the carving of Kundankari jewelry. In the far west we visit the tribal cultures of Gujarat.
No other land enjoys such a profusion of creative energies for the production of textiles as the subcontinent of India. The interaction of peoples-invaders, indigenous tribes, traders and explorers, has built a complex of designs legendary for their vitality and color.
From the richly brocaded silks of Kanchipuram, patterned silks and hand embroidered Kashmiri shawls, the sartorial style adopted by the Maharajas and their Ranis, to the humble home spun khadi made popular by Mahatma Gandhi, the range of textiles in India is staggering. Each area, village and community has its own distinctive pattern, color and design. The skills of the weavers are ancient, passed down through the generations, and their workmanship exquisite.
The handloom weavers, block printers, textile painters, dyers and embroiderers work to continue the tradition of Indian textile crafts. Textile symbolism in India may be laid down by traditions but the unique characteristic of the Indian artisan is to integrate foreign influences so completely that they appear to be Indian.
Today over ten million weavers, dyers, embroiderers and spinners contribute their handmade textiles to this melting pot. The special quality of the light cotton cloth, the embroidery techniques, the ability to respond with alacrity and sensitivity to the demands for new designs and patterns, as well as the fast nature of the colorful vegetable dyes in addition to the abundance and low cost of raw materials and labor, have together contributed toward making India the worldÕs foremost center for textile production.
Note: Antiques and religious icons will be seen throughout the tour, but they cannot be legally shipped out
of the country. However, arrangements can sometimes be made with shop owners at the best antque shops.
Click Here for a Detailed Itinerary
