Bengaluru became first Indian city to join global network of silk cities

Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to get into the global network of silk cities, celebrated French textile artist Isabelle Moulin said in Kolkata.

What is Silk City network ?

• The Silk City network, where the French artist has played a pivotal role, so far has 13 “best silk–producing cities” which have “same philosophy to protect silk and its related heritage” across nine countries as its member.

• Now, nine countries and 13 cities are in this network.

• The network helps artisans and craftsmen to exchange knowledge, build trade relations and understand various craftsmanship techniques.

Why Bangalore in the silk city network?

• The French textile artist ,who was on a ‘Silk trip’ to India, said there are historical reasons why Bengaluru has been included in the Silky City Network.

• The International Sericultural Commission was held at Lyon in the 1950s and came to Bengaluru in 2013.

• Also Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India and Lyon has a big cluster of innovation and IT.

Murshidabad and Silk

• In the next few years West Bengal’s Murshidabad district — known to produce fine silk in the over the past 300 years — may also join the global silk city network.

• The history of silk weaving in Murshidabad goes back to the early 18th century during the Mughal period, when the Nawab of Bengal, Murshidkuli Khan, shifted his capital from Dhaka to a town on the east of the Bhagirathi river, and named it Murshidabad.

• In 2011, Ms. Moulin created the Silk me Back, an approach that closely combines heritage and contemporary expressions, combining scientific, technical and artistic perspectives on the theme of silk and textiles.

(Source: The Hindu)

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