A Benaras, a Chanderi or a jamdani carries the imprint of a distinct weaving tradition. Bringing these and other saris together is the idea behind Sarees of India 2026, the Delhi Crafts Council’s annual exhibition, which returns for its 22nd edition from October 15 to 17, at Aga Khan Hall in the national capital.
This year’s showcase features 22 stalls featuring weaving traditions from across the country, from Benaras, bandhej and ajrakh to khun weaves from Karnataka and textiles from Odisha. Alongside established handloom producers and organisations, the exhibition brings in designers and entrepreneurs who work with weaving clusters to develop new designs.
“We make it a point that we bring only sari producers and makers. We don’t have dupattas or fabrics or any stitched garments,” says Purnima Rai, former president, Delhi Crafts Council. The exhibition’s byline, Innovating Tradition, reflects its interest in both established practices and new interpretations of handloom.
The selection takes at least nine months to put together, says Kamayani Jalan, president, Delhi Crafts Council. The council draws on its network to find new makers and bring together a mix of weaving traditions from across the country, while ensuring that each stall offers something different.
Revisiting forgotten traditions
A special presentation on revival sarees will focus on four initiatives working with textiles and designs that have fallen out of production or public memory. Among them is INTACH’s work with the Puneri saree, as well as an effort to revive the saucer cotton saree from the Nagpur region of Maharashtra, where the weaving tradition had dwindled.
The section will also feature Awadhi designs reproduced in Bengal’s jamdani tradition. The work draws on research into Tanda in Uttar Pradesh, where weaving developed under the patronage of the nawabs. Together, these projects offer a glimpse into the research and effort involved in bringing lesser-known textile traditions back into circulation.
Recognising the hands behind the saree
The exhibition’s annual Sutrakar Samman will be presented to Vijay Kumar Tanti of Nepura village in Nalanda, Bihar, for his work with the bawan buti tradition. The name refers to the 52 motifs traditionally woven into the textile, including lotus flowers, bodhi tree and peepal leaves, bulls, fish, stupas and the dharmachakra.
Born into a family of weavers, Tanti learnt the craft from his father, an expert in tussar, khadi and woollen textiles. He has since trained young weavers at the Bhagalpur Weavers Training Centre and works with Bunkar Bihar to promote the tradition. His two sons have also learnt weaving from him.
The award recognises skilled handloom weavers whose contributions have gone without comparable State or national recognition. Designer and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali will be the chief guest and present Tanti with a certificate and cash prize.
By bringing together a range of makers and weaving traditions, the exhibition offers a view of the sari that extends beyond its finished form to the skills, research and livelihoods behind it.
The exhibition is on until October 17, at Aga Khan Hall, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi. Open from 11am to 7pm
Published - October 15, 2026 03:14 pm IST