School of Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles

Name of the Activity: Visit to Silk Expo – Display of Traditional Fabrics, Sarees & Suits from Indian States

Date: 30th August 2025

Venue: Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK), Jaipur

No. of Participants: 22 (B.Sc. Fashion Design Sem I & III Students)

Objective of the activity:

The primary objective of the visit was to provide students with an opportunity to explore and understand the rich diversity of India’s silk textiles and traditional weaving techniques. By observing fabrics, sarees, and suits from different states. 

Description:

The Department of Fashion and Textiles organized an educational visit to the Silk Expo held at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, on 17th September 2025. The exhibition showcased an exquisite collection of fabrics, sarees, and suits from various states of India, representing the diversity and richness of the country’s textile heritage.

The Expo featured stalls from Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, each highlighting their signature silk varieties and traditional weaves.

Assam
The stalls displayed elegant Muga and Eri silk sarees, admired for their natural golden sheen, fine yet sturdy texture, and soft drape. The motifs were deeply inspired by nature, featuring birds, and geometric tribal patterns, all rendered in subtle earthy shades of golden beige, ivory, and soft greens

West Bengal

A vibrant collection of Baluchari and Tussar silks stood out for their smooth yet slightly crisp texture. The colour palette ranged from deep maroons, royal purples, and bottle greens to soft beige and cream, enhanced by intricate contrasting threadwork.

Tamil Nadu

The ever-graceful Kanjivaram silks exuded luxury with their lustrous, heavyweight texture and rich zari work. Students observed striking temple borders, checks, stripes, and traditional motifs such as peacocks, elephants, and rudraksha patterns. The sarees stood out with striking colour contrasts like bright red with gold, deep green with pink, and rich blue with silver, highlighting the beauty of South Indian craftsmanship.

Karnataka

The stalls featuring Mysore silk sarees highlighted their signature buttery-smooth texture and high-gloss finish. Minimalistic motifs such as small floral butis and delicate geometric borders were woven in subtle zari. The colour palette was a perfect balance of pastel peach, soft mint, ivory, and sky blue, along with bright jewel tones like ruby red, cobalt blue, and sunshine yellow, reflecting modern elegance blended with tradition.

Gujarat
The colourful Patola and Bandhej silks amazed everyone with their fine weaving and tie-dye work, having a slightly rough, handmade feel. The designs showed shapes like diamonds, elephants, parrots, dancing figures, and vibrant patterns. Bright shades of red, green, blue, yellow, and purple added to the festive look of Gujarat.

Uttar Pradesh

The luxurious Banarasi silks mesmerized visitors with their opulent brocades and finely woven, satin-smooth textures. Students noted the grandeur of Mughal-inspired motifs such as floral jaals, paisleys, shikargah (hunting scenes), and intricate creepers, brought to life with rich jewel tones—deep maroon, wine, emerald, and royal blue—accented with gold and silver zari.

Rajasthan
The stalls showcased the lightweight elegance of Kota Doria and the vibrant artistry of Leheriya. Kota Doria impressed with its airy, translucent weave and checkered khat pattern, often in soft pastels like cream, lemon yellow, and powder blue. 

Outcome:

The visit to the Silk Expo at JKK was an enriching experience for the students, as it highlighted the wide variety of silk traditions across India. Observing the craftsmanship, motifs, and cultural significance of different fabrics deepened their appreciation for handloom textiles. The exposure motivated them to incorporate traditional techniques into contemporary fashion, ensuring the preservation and promotion of India’s textile heritage.

Dr. Sulekha Ojha Dr. Sunetra Datt

Head, Dept. of Fashion & Textiles Teacher Coordinator