Strengthening the maheshwari handloom weaving tradition

Abstract

As per the ICOMOS Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage (1999), “Vernacular building is the traditional and natural way by which communities house themselves. It is a continuing process including necessary changes and continuous adaptation as a response to social and environmental constraints". This Heritage is unique to different context and indigenous communities. The most important attributes of this heritage are its inherent character of adaptability and perceived sustainability. And, it is comprised of both tangible as well as intangible values of heritage. The relationship between traditional crafts (as intangible heritage) and their architectural manifestations (as tangible heritage) is very important to be understood to safeguard both. The Handloom weaving tradition of India is one such Intangible Cultural Heritage that has made the weavers' community to adapt and define their living environments according to the craft. The heritage of weaving is not only limited to the traditional handlooms, craftsmanship or the sarees1 as its product, but also constitutes of the spaces in which weaving is performed. The houses of weavers are outstanding examples of vernacular architecture, where the architecture has evolved over a large span of time. The plan of a weaver’s house has developed and transformed according to the livelihood needs of the inhabitants, as well as to the needs of the weaver. These houses are built from locally available materials and technology. Maheshwar town in Madhya Pradesh state of India, the study area of this thesis, is a historic town where the centuries old weaving tradition has been revived by the Royal descendants. The historic core of the town, as well as villages in the region, comprise of clusters of houses of weavers, which are unique examples of vernacular architecture. The houses and the tradition dates back to the end of 18th century and beginning of 19th century during the rule of Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar. The architecture of the houses can be characterised by the use of local materials like Teak wood and thatch in roofing, sloping roofs, stone walls with mud used as a binding material as well as plaster in walls as well as floor, foundation work in stones, timber beams and columns, unique patterns in openings and jalis2 etc. But the most important detailing is the joineries of handlooms to the architectural spaces, by creating pits, raising platforms for posts, supporting the looms through beams or rafters and other such innovative techniques. The traditional architectural style is gradually shifting to modern materials and techniques due to the unavailability and/or unaffordability of traditional materials. There lies great potential in this region which has not been explored and needs to be strengthened. Therefore, in this thesis, houses as well as the weaving techniques are documented, and factors impacting the vernacular heritage of the weavers' housing are being analyzed to propose appropriate conservation strategies to safeguard the vernacular methods in the contemporary time and style. And to strengthen the tradition, it's significance is established and conservation guidelines are prepared.