Kolkata, Dec 5 : The West Bengal Government has decided to revive the silk sarees
produced in the State.
As per the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the government is setting
up a ‘design bank’ for the same. This will be done with the help of students of art
colleges in the state, and other artistes.
They will also be remunerated by the state government, the official sources here on
Thursday said.
Bengal silk was once famous worldwide. Under the patronage of the nawabs of
Murshidabad, Bengal silk products reached Europe and were later exported by the
British merchants. The quality of Murshidabad silk is high and the designs exclusive.
However, with time, the Murshidabad silk lost its glory, along with Bishnupuri silk.
Hence, the chief minister is trying to revive the lost heritage. In order to popularise
the Bengal silk products, she has advised the weavers to bring about variations in
designs, to make them more modern. The weight of the sarees will also be reduced.
Bengal to set up ‘design Bank’ to revive silk
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