“Bunkar: The Last of the Varanasi Weavers”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

Varanasi or Kashi is known to have been, and continues to be a famous weaving center for luxury textiles. The Varanasi handloom sector has been in a state of decline, and has been the subject of efforts to revive it by the government of India.^[2]^[3]

Story

Bunkar – The last of the Varanasi Weavers, is a documentary that focuses on the lives of the weavers’ of Varanasi. It highlights the various nuances of the handloom sector in Varanasi, what makes it stand out from other handloom products and the issues that plague its artisans. ^[4]

The weaving traditions of Varanasi can be traced back to the Vedic times and have since been handed down from generation to generation. Not a skill that can be taught in any institution, weaving is an art that takes a lifetime of dedication to master. The weavers of Varanasi, pride themselves in being able to weave with precision almost anything that the human mind can imagine. But, an art of this prominence comes at a price. Aspirant artisans start their training at the age of 10 and often even sacrifice all forms of formal education so they can perfect their talents.

With cheap powerloom fabrics^[5] rapidly making their way into our wardrobes, the weavers and their families stand at a cross roads. As they shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding centuries of tradition, they also crave the benefaction from society that they once enjoyed. Having to compete on cost, without willing to compromise on the quality of their art, the preservers of our heritage are struggling to hold on to their vocation and dignity. Bunkar is an attempt to awaken society to the reality of the life of a weaver and the price he pays so that our Indian legacy lives for one more day.

While celebrating the weaves of Varanasi and their creators, the documentary compels us to rethink the role each one of us can play in making a difference to their lives. For every time that art has played its role in shaping society, today an art is calling out to us. If we do not step up now, we may lose it forever.

Accolades

References

1. ^{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/a-window-to-indian-cinema/article25578477.ece|title=A window to Indian cinema|last=Khan|first=Murtaza Ali|date=2018-11-23|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
2. ^{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/in-this-documentary-varanasis-sari-weavers-talk-about-their-craft-and-its-present-state-of-decline/article23774217.ece|title=In this documentary, Varanasi’s sari weavers talk about their craft and its present state of decline|last=Panicker|first=Anahita|date=2018-05-05|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
3. ^{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/hanging-on-a-thread-national-handloom-day-varanasi-weavers-5296625/|title=Hanging on a Thread|date=2018-08-08|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2018-12-11}}
4. ^{{Cite web|url=http://www.caleidoscope.in/art-culture/bunkar-the-last-of-the-varanasi-weavers|title=Bunkar – The Last of the Varanasi Weavers|last=Sariya|first=Tasneem|date=2018-09-10|website=Caleidoscope {{!}} Indian Culture, Heritage|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-24}}
5. ^{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/hanging-by-a-thread-5615364/|title=Varanasi’s sari bunkars say a glorious tradition is hanging by a thread|date=2019-03-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-10}}

Background

Story

Accolades

References

External Links