Varanasi is a sacred city on the banks of the holy Ganges River which draws thousands of pilgrims to its many temples and to the river itself to light oil lamps and funeral pyres in honor of the deceased, sanctifying the passage from life to death. The lights from these pyres and lamps have given Varanasi the name, “City of Lights.”
Varanasi (previously, “Banares”) is also celebrated as a home for weavers, particularly for the many gifted artisans who create complex brocade textiles from colorful silk and lustrous gold and silver threads. The “Banarasi Brocades” for which the city is famous not only reveal the skills of these expert weavers, but also capture the aura of the city itself: the metallic threads woven into these textiles shimmer and reflect light, much like the flames from the city’s sacred oil lamps and funeral pyres. These textiles also illustrate the other side of Varanasi, as a vibrant cultural and artistic center that is teeming with life.
Curated by Khazana at the invitation of Ragamala Dance Company, the exhibition Woven Light: Textiles from Varanasi, features the beauty and diversity of Varanasi’s brocade textiles. Khazana, which means “treasure” in Hindi and Urdu, is a gallery, boutique, and community gathering space in Minneapolis. Amongst the many treasures of Khazana is an extensive collection of vintage and newly-crafted textiles from India, including brocade woven sarees from Varanasi.
This exhibit is made possible in part by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Minnesota State Arts Board.