Saris of India

Martand Singh (1947–2017) inspired a generation of scholars, textile artists, designers, craftsperson’s and students to develop their latent talents to create the finest in design, technique and aesthetics in the contemporary context. His evolved understanding and worldwide exposure compelled him to strive for excellence in numerous projects he undertook. He worked extensively in the field of handlooms in India for which he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Rta Kapur Chishti is a sari historian and a textile scholar. She has spent decades researching and documenting the saris of India, while also advocating for the revival of the sari as a garment of everyday use through initiatives such as the Sari School in 2009. 

She is the co-author and editor of Handcrafted Indian Textiles: Tradition and Beyond. As a writer and translator, she has written about the life and work of craftsperson’s and scripted for films and exhibitions. She has been consistently involved with research and development of handspun-handloom textiles. She is founder of the ‘Sari School’ which produces saris and organizes workshops and private classes for those who wish to learn the wonders of this unstitched garment and make it more relevant to their lives today.