Lucknow witnessed a string of celebrations to mark the state’s foundation day, U.P. Diwas on Sunday. Among the major highlights were the launch of the world’s largest mask crafted from Khadi and an innovative Khadi fashion show. The Chief Minister launched a 150 sq. metre mask developed by designer Manish Tripathi in collaboration with the Odra Foundation and Uttar Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The making of the world’s largest Khadi mask
Motivated by the government’s initiatives for a self-reliant India like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ & ‘Vocal for Local’, Manish envisioned a mask that could make it to the Guinness Book of world records. For his endeavour, he sought help from the Khadi and Village Industries Board. He was offered 2 metre of the Khadi fabric from each of UP’s 75 districts by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Board. In addition to this, his project was also aided by Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur.
The designer traveled to 10 states across the country for collecting fabric for the mask including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan. The accumulated cloth was stitched together into a mask measuring 150 sq. meters which trumped the old world record of 72.29 sq. meters. It is proposed that the raw material of the mask would be reused for producing alternative products by the self-help groups which would be later introduced in the market.
Khadi Fashion Show organised in Lucknow at the Avadh Shilpgram
On the occasion of U.P. Diwas, Avadh Shilp gram in Lucknow witnessed an uncoventional fashion show inspired by the indigenous fabric. In a spectacle to behold, fashion models from Delhi and Mumbai sported the Khadi costumes designed by notable designers like Ritu Beri, Manish Tripathi, Rina Dhaka, Asma Hussain, Runa Banerjee. The fashion show event was graced by the Minister of Khadi & Gram Udyog.
