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Satranji: Weaving for a cause

Rugs steeped in history

AFSAR AHMED
EVEN if it’s not Aladdin's magic carpet, the lure of the 1,000 year old traditional jute rug -Satranji continues to have buyers in its thrall. The elegance and splendour of the rug is believed to have captivated even the great Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The chann of Satranji was evident both in palaces and huts. Recently, the lyrical beauty of the Satranji was on display at the lounge of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. Hanging on walls, placed on a traditional Palankof the highly decorative antique bed of kings, nawabs and zamindars), the soft lighting created a dreamy atmosphere with splashes of bright colours at the exhibition premises.
With the title 'Colour Your Home with Village Art', a three-day exhibition started on October 3. The organiser was famous designer Bibi Russell in collaboration with Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The exhibition is a fund raiser.' Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital. The rest of the funds will go to the North Bengal weaver commu-
Elegance and splendour on display
nity who made these magnificent rugs,’ said Bibi. 'We are focusing on the women weavers of Rangpur. They have suffered a series of natural adversities- the harmful flood, devastating rains and drought. Consequently, these people are uncertain about how to celebrate Eid. And thus this show has been organised to generate money for them before Eid.'
The venue, she adds, is ideal. To quote her, 'The lounge of Sonargaon is the best place for such an exhibition as the foreigners are also likely to be attracted to iL Secondly, the hotel is not charging for the venue.’
Manabu Komatsu, Resident Manager of Pan Pacific Sonargaon, is equally enthusiastic about the exhibition.’ There is a side to Bangladesh apart from its poverty and natural calamities. The colourful life of the village people and their crafts charm the foreigners. These rugs are so magnificent that one can hang them on walls as paintings.' He adds that this is an opportune time for getting more attention from the
dignitaries and foreigners.'
In the exhibition, around 80 Satranjis made of 100 percent jute, are on display with various colours and designs in folk tradition. From-Pilpa, which was •known as Hatipaya to Jafri, Itkhati, Latai the traditional mingled with modem designs depicting the motifs of elephant footprints, motifs from Jamdani and the intrinsic geometrical patterns. About the designs Bibi says, ' The traditional motifs are absolutely superb. What I do is add some modem concepts to it with colour separations.'
The price range of the 46 feet Satranji is Taka 1,000. Apart from the rugs, there are colourful bamboo baskets, trays and chairs. Papier mache notebooks, photo-stands and gorgeous boxes are also on view at the exhibition.
T am looking forward to the sale as it may help tire weavers of North Bengal,' concluded Bibi.
The exhibition ends today.