The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Jamdani, one of the oldest forms of cottage industry in Bangladesh, is a fabric of fine cotton muslin of the Bengali origin with coloured stripes and patterns. Jamdani saris are much sought after by fashion-conscious women for their elegance.

Bengal is a large hub of Jamdani sari suppliers and different kinds of Jamdani sari manufacturers. 'Daccai Jamdani' is one of them. 'Daccai Jamdani' saris distinguished from its transformed cousins by its very fine texture similar to muslin and the elaborate and ornate workmanship.

Once Jamdani was a dying trade. In the first half of the nineteenth century, James Taylor, a traveller, described the figured or flowered Jamdani. Whether figured or flowered, the Jamdani was a woven fabric in cotton, and it was undoubtedly one of the varieties of the finest muslin. It has been spoken of as the most artistic textile of the Bangladeshi weaver. Traditionally woven around Dhaka and created on the loom brocade, the Jamdani is fabulously rich in motifs.

There are at least six varieties of Bengal handlooms, each deriving its name from the village in which it originated and each with its own distinctive style.

Though mostly used for saris, Jamdani is also used for scarves and handkerchiefs. Jamdani is the most expensive product of Dhaka looms since it requires the most lengthy and dedicated labour of the highest quality.

Jamdani patterns are mostly of geometric, plants, and floral designs originated Persian and Mughal fusion thousands of years ago. Due to the exquisite pain-staking methodology required, only aristocrats and royal families were able to afford such luxuries.

To present the rich heritage of Jamdani Dhakabashi, a socio-cultural organisation engaged in upholding traditiona and cultural heritage of Dhaka city, organised a fashion contest titled 'Elite Ranga Mehedi Jamdani Fashion Contest' at the Seminar Room of the Central Public Library in the city yesterday.

Brig Gen (Retd) MA Malek, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Post and Telecommunication Affairs, was present as chief guest at the contest.

Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, Chief Adviser of Dhakabashi, chaired the event while Nagina Chowdhury, Adviser of Dhakabashi, Dulal Biswas, Secretary General of the National Youth Organisation Federation, Abul Hossain, DGM of Elite Cosmetica, Shukur Salek, President of Dhakabashi, Shahin Parvin, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The contest began amid festivity and females wearing various types of Jamdani saris presented various colourful moods of Jamdani saris at the contest.

The programme ended with the flute performance of Abdul Kader. Besides, people from different parts of the city wearing Panjabis also took part in the showcase. In the contest, Sabina Yasmin Baby won the first prize, Sumi second and Pinki won the third prize.