Texere.Borders — Textile RSS

Figure 1 - Emily Jacir, Belongings. As we witness the passing of a year since the lockdown and the pandemic, we reflect on what the year has given us. Millions, over this year, migrated towards their homes when the lockdown was first announced. What is it about the home that urged people to make their way homeward and how was it for those who were forced to be far away from home? In an attempt to define what a home is, Mary Douglas describes what it is by comparing it with other institutions. She says, ‘Home certainly cannot be defined by any of its functions. Try the idea that home provides the primary care of bodies: if that is what...

                                      Figure 1- A Pair of Magpies   The practice of love for a community takes shape in the most intimate of ways – conjugality. Yet, the intimacy is dictated by the needs of society. A  heterosexual couples’ ability to procreate, places them as one of the foundations of society. Love, in a conjugal relationship need not necessarily centre itself around romance. Love plays out in the steps they take together; being responsible for each other, setting up a home together and preparing for the next generation.  Dwindling communities like the Parsis have been actively trying to keep their legacy alive by...

Today we live in a world where we are surrounded by dating apps that ensure that nobody will get hurt while dating. Alain Badiou in In Praise of Love, quotes from a few of these apps and shares his thoughts about 21st century love. ‘“Get love without chance!” And then another says: “Be in love without falling in love!” No raptures, right? Then: “Get perfect love without suffering!” …I believe this hype reflects a safety-first concept of “love”. It is love comprehensively insured against all risks: you will have love, but will have assessed the prospective relationship so thoroughly, will have selected your partner so carefully by searching online - by obtaining, of course, a photo, details of his or her tastes, date...

I woke up every morning to the melody of neighbourhood children doing their riyaaz. I would put on my best khadi and take a stroll to the ghat. There it stood, the gleaming red sandstone fort Ahilya, by the glistening liquid gold river Narmada. As I would walk up to the fort, past the stunning hand-carved Shiva temples, I would hear it; the music of handloom from Rehwa society.    Ahilyabai Holkar or as she’s revered, ‘Maa Saheb’, is the patron of Maheshwari weaving. Her reign (1767-1795 AD) was considered to be the golden age of crafts and culture. As a widow herself, her wardrobe was spartan and her style of dressing was simple and elegant; which reflected in the...