The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi inaugurated its first exhibition of handloom sarees from Tangail and Pabna on April 17, opening to the public on April 18. The 300 sarees sold out within 24 hours, leading to an early closure. Officials described the demand as unexpected and exciting.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi inaugurated a four-day exhibition of 300 handloom sarees on April 17, sourced from around 50 weavers in 15 villages of Tangail and Pabna districts. It opened to the public on April 18 but closed within 24 hours after selling out completely. A notice stated, “The organisers are constrained to close the sales of sarees before the planned closure.”
High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah posted on X, “None could ever guess that 300 exquisite sarees will vanish in a day’s time.” He added, “It’s truly unique when within 24 hours of opening, such a unique exposition had to be winded up.” The showcase highlighted weaving traditions from these Jamuna river districts. Tangail sarees, known for fine cotton, delicate motifs, and airy textures, were recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.
At the inauguration, Hamidullah said, “We have brought some of the finest traditional handloom weaves from Bangladesh... It’s to tell people of craftsmanship, of our commonalities, of the crafts, because crafts are actually struggling.” He told The Indian Express, “After what the two countries have gone through in the recent past, this exposition has brought people together... it started a lot of conversations organically — about history, shared heritage, weaves and craftsmen and people to people ties. It was neither diplomacy nor commerce.”
Bangladeshi curator Chandra Shekhar Saha, working with weavers for over four decades, and Indian co-curator Chandra Shekhar Veda, both NID-Ahmedabad alumni, collaborated. Saha said, “The collaboration reflects a cross-border commitment to preserving and promoting South Asia’s shared textile heritage.” Congress leader Sonia Gandhi sent a letter of appreciation but cited health issues for not attending. Visitors including diplomats, MEA officials, and women MPs requested restocking, though items were priced at weavers' cost.
Relations between India and Bangladesh strained after Sheikh Hasina’s 2024 ouster and minority attacks amid instability, but BNP’s February election win and Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit signal rebuilding.
