ABOUT MYSELF

 

I was born in the family of farmer in the village Sumari, Uttrakhand. I was never interested in the farming and joined 3 years diploma course in weaving and dyeing from Srinagar Garhwal in the year 1962 and completed the course in the year 1964. I started my career with Delhi Cloth Mill but was not satisfied with the job and late on joined Weavers service Centre Delhi as a Weaver. At Weavers Service Centre I honed my skill of weaving under the renowed designers. Intially I learnt handloom weaving at various weavers centres and later on imparted handloom weaving training to handloom weavers at different places under the programmes organized by the state Government, Non-Government organization and handloom societies. Besides handloom weaving I also master the craft of tapestry weaving, Lame Shade (with thread) and maerame knottina. My contribution of the development of Sustainable income to local weavers.

 

While working in Weavers Service Centre Varanasi I learnt the basic knotting from Mr. Nassimudin Ansari and assisted him making of a 20 feet long lamp sahade named Apollo for an exhibition which was held in OSAKA in JAPAN. Later on I developed it in different shapes and trained the local weavers over there. At that time those lamp shades were in huge demand in the local and export market and it helped the weavers to earn a good livelihood and they are into this field till date.

 

I also imparted tapestry weaving training to the weavers in the Varanasi which was later on improvised and helped the weavers to make beautiful art works which were far more cheap and less time comsuming than sarees and so again it helped the local weavers to earn well.

 

Klhile in service in Panipat, I trained many unskilled people in the organization i.e. Surjeet Handloom Co. operative society, Dhawan Fab and Mahajan Overseas. At that time demand of handloom products were very high in the export market and number of skilled weavers were less so at that time I introduced Mr Madan Mahajan owner of Mahajan Overseas to M/S Prakash Brothers and other local weavers in Varanasi and during that period of time and till date the export orders are manufactured their also.

 

MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

Having seen the problems of the weavers and having learned the different techniques of handloom weaving. I wanted to do some different work from others so that demand and sustainability of handloom fabric and tapestry in the long run is guranteed. I stailed weaving on my own at home when ever I got time. I used to observe closely the trends and tastes of the exporters. I always thought of developing new techniques.

 

The urge to do some different and to survive in the market with the onslaught of different types of fabrics I always used different techniques and designs of my own and passed it to the others also.

 

When transferred to Panipat in the year 1975, I saw that local weavers were involved in weaving of simple khes, bed sheets or curtain cloth using cotton and art silk yarn dyed in direct colours for the local export market. So I along with my team at W.S.C. Panipat guided the weavers about different methods and dyeing techniques and encourged them to use them. Today Panipat has developed a niche in the handloom export market for itself.

 

In the year 1980 under th Petrofil for the first time use of polyester thread was used in the handloom sector. During it I was given this golden opportunity to provide one month training each to the weavers of Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. During this program I used automatic take up motion for polyesater weaving.

 

For the first time I used Jamdani technique in woolen yarn for the weavers of Himachal Pradesh and trained number of weavers in Kinnor, Botike Co. Society Kullu, Him Bunkar Co. Society, Suket Weaver Co. Society Sunder Nagar, Royal Handloom Co. Society, Ram Shila Co. Society and many other society for the weaving of woolen jackets, Ticozi, Wall Hangings, Soilder Bags and Jamdani Wollen Shawals.

 

MY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO PROVIDE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT TO THE HANDLOOM WEAVERS

 

Post retirement I started a small Co-operative society in Panipat and undertook DTP programme and trained 20 weavers first and later on absorbed them in my co-operative society. After that under IHTP programme  improved training in handloom was provided to the 20 weavers and later on they were provided placement in the different handloom organizations in the Panipat

 

Volunter my services to the students of NIFT, N.I.D. & fine Arts College and train them in this field so that if they want they can come to this field also.

 

Provided internship to the students of NIFT KANGRA

 

SPECIAL WORK DONE BY ME IN DEVELOPING NEW PATTERNS FOR VALUE ADDITION OF HANDLOOM FABRIC

 

Improvised traditional Pujja Duree loom in the year 1980 and following changes were made to it.

 

Instead of Pujja used Hattha (used in handloom) which saved the labour of weavers and quality of the cloth weaved on it was much uniformly woven. This loom is very good for tapestry and Duree weaving and had trained about 100 students of Lalit Kala Mahavidalaya, New Delhi since 2001 as a visiting lecturer.

 

Visiting Lecturer in collage of Art Delhi since 2001 for tapestry weaving.

 

Imparted training to the local weavers at Chinmay Ashram Kangra(H.P.) for a duration of one month.

 

Organized a workshop at the institute of Home economics New Delhi.

 

Imparted training to the immates of Tihar and Karnal Jail.

 

INITIATIVES TAKEN BY ME TO MARKET AND PROMOTE THE HANDLOOM PRODUCTS.

 

To create more number of opportunities for the handloom weavers I have opened a co-operative society in the name of VISHNU HANDLOOM CO. OPERATIVE SOCIETY in PANIPAT  for the production of and sale of handloom products by the weavers.

 

To create awarness and developing this craft of handloom weaving.

 

While in service in WSC worked on the jute promotion project started by Government of India and made duree, cushion covers, table covers, table mats, furnishing  bed covers etc. which were later displayed in an exhibition in Mumbai. The response was very good and since then jute is in demand in the export market.

 

Tantvi Project – An intiative of textile ministry (Govt. of India) I, prepared samples using natural yarn (wool of cotton0 in different textures and out of them 14 were selected.

 

Tantvi Heritage Project – Under this project the traditional clothes of India were to be recieved using natural yarn and colours I was given an oppourtunity by WSC Panipat to work on Panipat traditional khes which I successfully got manufactured in my society.

 

PARTIPICATION IN EXHIBITIONS HELD BY GOVT. OF INDIA/TEXTILES MINISTRY ABROAD

 

1.                 Participated in textile exhibition held in Spain in 1988 and demonstrated the handloom weaving using techniques used in manufacturing of Panipat traditional khes. The response was excellent and all the woven cloths was sold over there only.

2.                 Festival of India was organised in the year 2003 in Timpu (Butan) I was selected to demonstrate the manufacturing of export handloom items like cushion covers, bed sheets, wall hangings, door mats, shawl etc. There I took already manufactured cloth and a frame loom for demonstration and participated in joint weavers workshop along with other weavers and exchanged the technical knowledge with them. The loom that I took along with me was purchased by the Bhutan Government.

There one of my woven tapestry (design inspired by TREE OF LIFE) was gifted to her highness of Bhutan which is displayed in the museum over there.

3.                 Under the project birds & animals in the textiles I wove cloth in double weave which was appericiated and was displayed in the Vigyan Bhawan. It was woven on the jaicard machine. The project was supervised by Mr. Martand Singh.

 

MY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO PROVIDE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT TO THE HANDLOOM WEAVERS

 

After retirement, I started a small co-operatove society in Panipat, there I undertook DTP programme and trained 20 weavers on the first flow and further absorbed them in my own co-operative society. Under the IHTP programme, an imporved training was provided to the 20 weavers, which made them more efficient and got placed in various handloom societies of Panipat.

 

Students and yongsters are the backbone of Indian Society. So as to motivate them I volunteered my services to the students of  NID and Fine Arts College. I got interested and train them in this field so that they can even enter this field if they like

 

Provided internship to the students of NIFT(KANGRA).

 

MY SPECIAL WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PATTERNS FOR THE VALUE ADDITION OF HANDLOOM FABRICS

 

I went to improvise traditional Pujja Duree loom in the year 1980. Instead of Pujja, we used Hattha (used in handloom) which saved the labour of weavers and the quality of the cloth which was used, was much uniformaily woven. This loom turned out to be very useful for tapestry and duree weaving and even in the training of about 100 students of Lalit Kala Mahavidhyalay.

 

Worked there as a visiting lecturer sing 2001

 

Visiting lecturer in college of Arts Delhi since 2001 for tapestry weaving.

 

Imparted training to the local weavers at Chinmay Ashram Kangra (H.P.) for a month and trained them in various skills.

 

Organized a workship at the Institiute of Home Economics New Delhi.

 

Impoarted training to the inmates of Tihar and Karnal Jail.

 

Initiatives taken by me to promote handlooms productin in market.

 

So as to create much more opportunities for the handloom weavers I have opened a co-operative society (VISHNU HANDLOOM CO. OPERATIVE) in Panipat. It helped in the impovement of the Production and the sale of the handloom products by the weavers.

 

While my service at WSC, worked on the jute promotion project started by Govt. of India. Under that project we made duree, cushion covers, table vovers, table mats, furnishing bed covers etc. for the market.

 

Further they were displayed in and exhibition at Mumbai. The response way very overwhelming and since then jute is demand in the export market.

 

Tantvi Project – It was an intiative of textile ministry (Govt. of India) I, prepared samples using natural yarn in different textures. 14 of them were selected for the higher level.

 

Tantvi Heritage Project – Under this project the traditional clothes of India were to be recieved using natural yarn and colours. At that time  I was given an oppourtunity by WSC Panipat to work on Panipat traditional khes which I successfully got manufactured in my society. That event was a such a boost to the handloom industry.

 

PARTICIPATION IN EXHIBITIONS CONDUCTED BY GOVT. OF INDIA/TEXTILE MINISTRY (ABORAD)

1.                 Participated in textile exhibition held in Spain in 1988 and demonstrated the handloom weaving using the technique of manufacturing traditional khes. As a result all the woven cloth was sold there itself in the market. So the response was overshelming.

2.                 Participated the “THE FESTIVAL OF INDIA” which was organised in the year 2003 at Thimpu(Bhutan). There, I was selected to demonstrate the manufacturing of handloom items like waall hanging, door mats, shawls etc. which were to be exported later in that period.

3.                 There I did a experiment of already manufactured cloth and framed loom for demonstration and participated in joint weavers society, exchanged ideas and shared my knowledge with them.

The loom which I took with me to Bhutan was purchased by the Bhutan Government and one of my woven tapestry (design inspired) by the “TREE OF LIFE” was gifted to her highness of Bhutan which is still displayed in the museum over there.

4.       Under the project of birds and animalsin the textiles, I wove the cloth in double weave, which was appreciated and displayed in the Vigyan Bhawan. The cloth was woven on the Jaccard Machine and was supervised by Mr. Martand Singh.

PARTICIPATION IN WORKSHOPS AND CRAFTS FAIRS

 

1.       On the occasion of establishment of crafts museum in Surajkund demonstrated handloom weaving in the artist camp.

2.       Demonstrated the art of tapestry weaving in the trade fair 2011-12 at the Haryana Pavelion on the invitation of State Government.

3.       Demonstration and training of tapestry weaving at IILM College Noida.

4.       Imparted tapestry weaving and macrame knotting training to the students at a workshop organized by the Ansal College of Engineering Gurgaon.

5.       Participated in a seminar organised by the Govt. of India on the occasion of  SARRC Exhibition held at Pragati Maidian New Delhi.

6.       Participated in a cultureal fair along with loom and producets on the occasion of silver jubliee celebration of North Zone cultural centre, Chandigarh.

7.       Participated in Delhi haat and Surak Kund craft mela many a times along with handloom products.

8.       Participated in an exhibition KALA GRAM organized by NORTH ZONE CULTURAL CENTRE CHANDIGARH.

9.       Participated in skill UP Gradation exhibition in Dehradun and Panipat(Haryana) along with handloom products.

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FROM GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND OTHERS

 

1.       ST KABIR AWARD for handloom in the year 2009

2.       Natiional Merit certificate in Woolen Jamdani Scarf from Govt. of India in the year 2001.

3.       State award in handicraft for Macrme work from Govt of Delhi in the year 1999-2000.

4.       THAKUR VED RAM NATIONAL AWARD founded by Bhuttico handloom co-operate society Kullu (H.P.) in the year 2010-2011 for making significant contribution to the handloom industry.

5.       A SHIELD AND CERTIFICATE from Deput Commissioner of Nanital for improvement in vertical Punja Duree loom

6.       B.C.SANYAL AWARD  for Dedicated teacher 2012 from Delhi collage of Art Regd. with Govt of N.C.T. of Delhi.

7.       KALANIDHI AWARD in the October, 2011 from the director of North Zone Cultural Centre Chandigarh.

8.       KALA AND SANSKRITI AWARD founded in the memory of Khawaja Altaf Hussain Kali from the Hali trust Panipat in the year 2013.

9.       CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION from Sh. Rajesh Kumar Sharma (Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Haryana) for developing woven trapestries of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Maharaj, Nischal Singh Ji on the painting of Sobha Singh the famous artist of Punjab.

10.     A SHIEL for participation in Republic Day on Handloom Tableau in 1979.

11.     MEMBER OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Ministry of Textiles) W.S.C. Panipat.

 

BRIEF CREDENTIAL OF THE APPLICAT OF SH. KHEM RAJ SUNDRIYAL

 

1.                 Born in 1943 in a family of farmer in village Sumari (U.K.)

2.                 Completed diploma in weaving in the year 1964 from SrinagarGarhwal (U.K.)

3.                 Trained many people in the craft of lamp shade making using thread while in Varanasi.

4.                 Trained weavers in the art of weaving Mutri Hangings in Varanasi.

5.                 Improvised traditional Punjja Duree loom and used Hattha in place of Punjja in it.

6.                 Improvised traditional Panipat Khes

7.                 Work of the Hute devolopment project started by the Govt. of India was completed under my supervision.

8.                 Provided training to number of weavers in 5 states under polyester training programme(PETROFIL) in the year 1980.

9.                 Under DTP programme trained number of weavers in different states.

10.            Worked on textural tantvi on multitredil using cotton and woolen yarn.

11.            Work done under Tantvi Heritage project on traditional Panipat khes using wool, cotton and natural colours.

12.            Running a handloom co-operative society in Panipat after retirement since 2003.

13.            Participated demonstrated and exhibited his products many times in India and abroad.

14.            Advisory committee member of W.S.C. Panipat.

15.            Achieved St. Kabir Award in the year 2009.

16.            Visiting lecturer in FINE ARTS COLLEGE DELHI

17.            Demonstrated tapestry weaving at different workshops organised in institutes in Delhi and NCR.

 

WORK EXHIBITS

 

1.                 Museum of Bhutan

2.                 Hotel Vishara, Ahmedabad

3.                 Collection of Lt. Rajesh Sharma, Ex-Minister cultural affairs, Govt of Haryana.

4.                 Collection of Gurudwara Sant Pura Sahib Yamunanagar in Haryana.

5.                 Mr. N.K.Singh Ex. Addl. Development Commssioner for Handloom.