Dhārā featuring Master Weavers, Rajon Miah 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Description:
Immerse yourself in the exquisite world of one of the oldest and finest textiles produced in the world rooted in the heart of Sonargaon, Bangladesh is the Dhakai Jamdani. Join us on this experience of a lifetime to sit on the handloom and weave your first jamdani textile. Dive into the world of this finest craftsmanship and learn about the heirloom-worthy fabric directly from award winning and internationally exhibited master craftsman Rajon Miah. 

Facilitated by: Dhārā featuring Master Weavers: Rajon Miah and Artist: Tasleema Anam

Facilitator’s Profile:
Dhārā: A residency rooted at the banks of the Shitalakshya River, Dhārā aims to decolonize craft in Bangladesh. The team includes experienced designers, craft leaders, academics, multilingual facilitators, and storytellers, collaborating with the Jamdani community in Demra, Sonargaon, Bangladesh.

Elem Miah is a distinguished master weaver and Jamdani artisan, recognized by the National Craft Council of Bangladesh for his contributions to preserving cultural heritage. A co-founder of Sonia Jamdani Ghar in Demra, Elem Miah is a prominent figure in Jamdani weaving, continuing a tradition dating back to the British colonial period.

Rajon Miah, son of Elem Miah, is a co-founder of Sonia Jamdani Ghar and a skilled Jamdani artisan with over 20 years of experience. Known for his expertise in reviving heritage Jamdani motifs, Rajon’s work has been showcased in exhibitions across London, India, and America.

Mahenaz Chowdhury is an artist, cultural activist, and passionate advocate for preserving and revitalising South Asian textiles, focusing on traditional crafts such as Nakshi Kantha and Jamdani weaving, both of which embody rich histories and sustainable practices. She is also the founder of Broqué, a conscious streetwear label that creates abstract, ethically made one-off-pieces. Her work emphasises storytelling as a medium to connect communities, amplify marginalised voices, and challenge colonial narratives that have shaped perceptions of our cultural heritage. Through her practice, she integrates traditional craft techniques with innovative, zero-waste design approaches, fostering ecological and social resilience. As the founder of Broqué, she has pioneered storytelling-based upcycling workshops that engage youth and community members to rediscover and embody South Asian cultural roots. 

Details:

Date: 1st February 2025

Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Duration: 2 Hours

Age Group: 15+

Participant Capacity: 25

Workshop Outline:

- Yarn & Memory

Separate Yarn – Wheel: Begin at the origin, unraveling the threads with your hands. Learn to prepare the yarn, the foundation for every Jamdani masterpiece.

- Past Meets Present

Small Convo – Storytelling: Sit in a circle of shared stories—personal memories and collective tales—connecting Jamdani’s threads with Dhaka’s living culture.

- Plotting the Motif

15-Minute Graph Plotting: Guided by a master of Jamdani motifs, sketch your own design—a personal emblem of creativity within the legacy of this craft.

- On the Loom – Rhythm of Hands

Weave Your Motif: Feel the weight and rhythm of the loom, weaving your motif into fabric under the guidance of skilled artisans. Let the loom teach you patience and precision.

Treasures

Each participant will receive a curated kit that captures the essence of Jamdani and Dhārā’s spirit that is a co-creation between you, the artisans, and Dhārā –  ধারা Timeless Memories of Demra.

What Will You Take Away:

- A one-on-one interaction with legendary master artisans of the century old historically significant center of world textile- Sonargaon. 

- The hands-on experience on the handloom to co-create legacy Jamdani motifs symbolizing historical cultural heritage. 

- An artistic Dhakai Jamdani Souvenir to take home