News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know . i i i . – t ’ a l y n t k Special Report / Festival News India Times (September 5, 2026 - September 11, 2026) September 11, 2026 27 Reviving The Legacy Of Mashru And Patan Patola Through Technology And Innovation F or centuries, Patan Patola and Mashru textiles have stood among India’s finest handloom traditions, admired worldwide for their exceptional crafts- manship, intricate designs, and timeless elegance. Yet these centuries-old crafts face growing chal- lenges, including declining artisan participation, limited infrastructure, and changing market demands. Recog- nizing the need to preserve this priceless heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods, Life Global, in partner- ship with Gramshree, has launched an initiative that blends traditional artistry with modern technology and innovation. Today, the focus extends beyond preservation. The project is building a sustainable ecosystem where heri- tage craftsmanship can flourish alongside technology, design innovation, and professional training. A major milestone has been the digitization and systematic documentation of traditional weaving tech- niques. More than 150 Patola layouts and 200 Mashru designs have been carefully catalogued, creating a per- manent technical archive that safeguards generations of artisan knowledge. This digital resource enables artisans to maintain exceptional quality while introducing con- temporary designs that appeal to global markets. The initiative is also advancing research in place- ment-based and adornment-oriented Patola weaving, ensuring motifs are engineered with remarkable preci- sion for modern garments. By combining traditional skills with technical innovation, artisans can preserve authenticity while meeting evolving consumer expecta- tions. The program currently supports a dedicated com- munity of more than 80 artisans in Patan, connected to a wider network of over 35,000 artisans across India. Importantly, it has opened the doors to first-generation weavers, including many women, enabling them to learn a craft that was once limited to hereditary artisan families. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, participants gain valuable skills that create long-term economic opportunities for their families. AN ARTISAN WITH HIS WEAVING MACHINE Looking ahead, Life Global and Gramshree envision establishing a Centre of Excellence for Patan Patola and MashruWeaving. This world-class facility will bring together master artisans, young learners, researchers, and designers under one roof, creating a continuous chain of learning, innovation, and craftsmanship. It will preserve museum-quality weaving traditions while encouraging creativity, research, and product develop- ment for international markets. One significant challenge remains the availability of adequate infrastructure. The highly specialized double- ikat weaving process requires considerable space for yarn preparation, dyeing, alignment, and weaving. Existing facilities limit production capacity and training opportunities for new artisans. To address this need, Life Global and Gramshree are working with government agencies, philanthropic part- ners, and supporters to establish a centralized weaving campus that will provide modern infrastructure while preserving the authenticity of these remarkable crafts. The vision is clear—to transform Patan into a globally recognized center for heritage textiles, where tradition and technology work hand in hand. By preserving artis- tic excellence, empowering artisans, and embracing in- novation, Life Global is ensuring that the timeless legacy of Mashru and Patan Patola continues to inspire future generations while creating sustainable livelihoods for communities across Gujarat. By Amar Shah, Founder, Life Global PHOTOS :LIFE GLOBAL Women displaying Patola design sarees. An artisan with his weaving machine Janmashtami Fervor Grips Temples Across India As Devotees Join Celebrations D evotees across the country are celebrating Janmashtami with religious fervour, gathering at temples for Mangla Aarti and special prayers to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. In Delhi, devotees have gathered in large numbers at ISKCON temples in East of Kailash and Dwarka Sector 13 to participate in the Mangla Aarti held on the occasion of Janmashtami. Devotees joined the prayers and celebrat- ed the festival at the temples. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura, devotees took part in mangala aarti and special prayers as celebrations continued at the birthplace of Lord Krishna. People also danced and expressed their devo- tion to Lord Krishna. Mathura witnessed a particularly devotional atmo- sphere as devotees gathered at the temples across the city to participate in the religious ceremonies marking Janmashtami. The celebrations included prayers and rituals conducted at the temple, with devotees joining in the festivities. Earlier, a huge crowd of devotees gathered at the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir in Vrindavan for the Janmashtami aarti. The temple premises were packed with devotees, with people standing in long queues and moving through barricaded areas as they waited for darshan and partici- pated in the celebrations. In Delhi, the Birla Mandir also held Mangla Aarti on the occasion. The temple was decorated for the festival, with devotees participating in the early-morning religious ceremony. The celebrations extended to Mumbai as well, where a huge crowd of devotees gathered at the ISKCON Temple in Chowpatty for the mangala aarti. The devotees partici- pated in prayers and celebrations at the temple as part of the Janmashtami festivities. The festival brought together large numbers of people at prominent religious centres, with temple premises witnessing devotional activities and celebrations. With crowds continuing to gather at prominent temples, arrangements for crowd management and security remain an important part of the celebrations. At the ISKCON Temple in East of Kailash and other temples as well, police presence has been maintained as devotees gather for the festival. Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Jan- mashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu luni-solar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada of the Hindu Calendar, which overlaps with August and September of the Gregorian calendar. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the celebrations hold particular significance because of their close association with Krishna’s life and traditions. The combination of religious celebrations and large gatherings has brought a festive atmosphere across the country as devotees come together to celebrate Jan- mashtami. - ANI PHOTO:ANI Shri Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura.