Aruna Ghosh - Personal Story
Some friendships germinate from work relationships and shared passions for ideas and interests, particularly textiles. Aruna was in Ahmedabad writing for the India Magazine, when she first met Rakesh Thakore, who was assisting Martand Singh on the first Visakarma/Master Weavers exhibition. After the exhibition, Rakesh and Mapu moved to Delhi, where they met Aruna again and eventually became friends. As their friendship grew stronger and Aruna's birthday came round the corner, Rakesh and Mapu gifted her a saree.
A present of a saree that was very unique in its design—a Sickinaikanpet.
Inspired by the canopies and pictorial hangings in the temples of southern India, the Sickinaikanpet saree was an experiment that had never been done before. By using three primary colours—maroon, mustard, and iron-black—Rakesh visualised a range of sarees in a thicker fabric that were hand-painted with a dye-soaked swab of cloth, wielded like a brush, so that the field showed a smooth expanse of brushed-down colour. Its simplicity yet striking colour and geometric layout make it contemporary all across time.
Although the saree is more than 30 years old, it looks as fresh as it did when it was new, mainly because it was worn sparingly as befits a priceless heirloom. Its memory is a tribute to cherished friendships that endure the test of time.