The SA Silk Workshop at MCM DAV College for Women by Tarannum Caur

Fabric on Display

When the word ‘Silk’ is mentioned, it immediately conjures an image of waves of light and luxurious fabric in bright jewel colours. However, when I get to talk about the ‘Silk Workshop’ of Speaking Archaeologically, all that I may ponder upon is the golden-mauve Thai Silk costume or the Chinese emerald-green Silk dress.

After a series of written tasks, team tasks and Museum visits, the Silk Workshop acted as a source of recreation. The workshop was held in MCM DAV College, Chandigarh (Firstly, because the College staff calls it Shriya’s second home and secondly because more than half of the volunteers were students of this college,) A powerpoint presentation was prepared to highlight SA’s journey so far, it’s aim, achievements and all the activities that the volunteers were involved in. 

Athira and Tarannum
in the traditional Chinese
and Thai National Dresses

   As I entered the Conference room, (the venue), the first thing that I laid my eyes upon was the front table decorated with the colourful Silk scarfs and dresses, along with the labels mentioning the names of the countries which they belonged to. As decided on the previous day, me and my fellow Volunteer Athira Jamwal were supposed to wear Shriya’s own formal Thai National costume (Chut Thai Boromphiman) and Traditional Chinese Silk dress (Cheongsam) and be her models. On one hand, the shades of gold and copper reflected their elegance, and on the other, being able to walk properly in the wrap around skirt was a challenge in itself.

The workshop invited the College’s teaching staff and many aficionados and eager students who flocked the event with much gusto and excitement. The delay in starting of the projector didn’t waver the kindred spirits but instead, filled the air with anticipation. Finally, upon arrival of the DAV College’s team of Volunteers, the magic of Silk unfolded and it all began.

Anmol and Rakshanda talk about
working as Volunteers for SA

At First, the volunteers, got a chance to share their experience of working with (or rather, of being a part of) Speaking Archaeologically. Anmol Chacko and Rakshanda talked about the visit to the Bhima Devi Temple, presented the site’s images and confessed how they were lost en route. Athira Jamwal spoke about the shadow puppetry task and was made to sit down when she shifted her speech from puppetry to her and Anmol Chacko’s love. I got a chance to outline how for me, the previous 2-3 months had brought a new insight to the subject of History. In a similar way, all the active and dormant volunteers got a chance to share their words and views. The informal interactions allowed everyone to connect more to each other.

This was followed by the actual beginning of the workshop, when everyone present was asked to view the displayed Silk Clothes. Athira and I stood at either sides of the table, letting the audience to have a look at the two traditional dresses, and allowing the fellow volunteers to make us laugh at the same time. The displayed textile included Tasar Silk Scarf (Indian), Chinese Mulberry Coasters, Thai Mulberry Floral Fabric, Kashmir Mulberry Scarf (Indian), and Eri Silk blouse (Indian). The softness, the fineness and the lustre of Silk allowed us to differentiate it’s one type from the other.

In the end, Shriya took over the mic and focused upon the most important bit, the history of Silk. For the next hour, the room became an information hub, with the walls echoing Shriya’s words and the audience acting as a blackbox, recording all the conversations. The types of Silk, (Mulberry and Non Mulberry Silk), the origin of Silk in China, the debates about Harappan civilization and Silk production, religious value of Silk in India, the Industrial Revolution, Thai Silk production and the Conservation of Silk were the main topics of discussion.
As explained by the phrase ‘Forgotten History is Forgotten Culture’, the Cultural importance of the fabric lied interlinked to it’s Historical importance. With this, the workshop, effortlessly blending History and Archaeology, came to an end. The following hour was spent chit chatting, enjoying savoury and mouth watering treat, and contributing our flavor to the Campus diaries.