A celebration of textile heritage, devotion & artisan empowerment

Project Tantavyaa: Shwet Shyam at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, curated by RSB Foundation, brought together India’s textile legacy, cultural leadership, and artisan communities, with a strong focus on reviving traditional crafts through sustainable and community-driven approaches.

Rooted in the textile traditions of Odisha, Bengal, and Assam, Shwet Shyam is a craft-led cultural experience inspired by the values of Swabhiman (dignity), Shaktikaran (empowerment), and Sankirtan (devotion). The initiative aims to bring handloom traditions back into mainstream focus while creating sustainable livelihoods for artisan communities, particularly women. The showcase will remain open until 2nd May 2026, offering visitors an immersive journey into India’s textile heritage.

The evening commenced with a traditional Mangalacharan performance and was inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education. He highlighted the importance of preserving India’s craft heritage in alignment with the vision of Swadeshi 2.0 and the Five-F value chain.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, said, “As we move towards a more self-reliant India, it is initiatives like these that reinforce the value of Swadeshi, ensuring our traditional crafts continue to thrive in a modern, global context.”
The second evening featured an immersive fashion theatre titled Recreating the Baithak Era, curated by revivalist designer Pankaj S. Chadha.

The showcase presented a narrative of India’s eastern textile traditions, where garments were experienced as expressions of heritage. Jamdani drapes, handwoven Muslin, and Muga silk from Assam took centre stage, each reflecting months of detailed craftsmanship. These were complemented by hand embroidery, surface ornamentation, and revival techniques that drew from archival designs while remaining relevant today.

Silhouettes were inspired by the intimate baithak setting, graceful and fluid, featuring angarkhas, layered veils, and handwoven saris. The colour palette stayed true to the philosophy of Shwet Shyam with ivory, off-white, deep indigo, and muted earth tones reflecting devotion, duality, and balance.

Accompanied by live vocals from noted classical vocalist Vidya Shah, the presentation moved beyond a conventional runway, bringing together music, movement, and textile. The textiles echoed the devotional traditions of Krishna Bhakti across regions from the spiritual resonance of Jagannath Puri in Odisha, to the devotional movements of Bengal, and the Vaishnavite and Sattriya traditions of Assam, where craft, music, and faith have long existed in harmony.

Speaking about the showcase, Pankaj S. Chadha said, "These textiles carry stories of people, places, and traditions that have been passed down over generations. Through Tantavyaa, we are trying to bring them back into everyday conversation and give them the space they deserve today.”

At its core, the evening recognised the women artisans whose skill and dedication shape each textile. Their craftsmanship, carried across generations, remains central to preserving these traditions and sustaining livelihoods.

Commenting on the musical and fashion presentation, Priyanka Behera, Director - CSR, RSB Group, adds, “Project Tantavyaa is far more than a cultural event; it is our commitment to ensuring that India's intangible heritage is not lost to time. The Baithak tradition shaped generations of artists, patrons, and thinkers. By recreating that era and pairing it with a fashion showcase that draws from the same aesthetic roots, we hope to inspire a new generation to look inward to find elegance, identity, and pride in what is uniquely and beautifully ours."
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