The Chintz Story

Gallery Threshold in Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi,  unveils an exhibition by textile virtuoso Bappaditya Biswas titled “The Chintz Story”. The exhibition began December 1, 2023, and it will end on December 10, 2023.

Curated by the Ina Puri, the showcase will present 20 crafted works on hand-spun and handwoven fabrics.

Biswas’s artistic creations are eloquently divided into two thematic narratives: “Dasa-Avatars” inspired by Hindu mythology, and a portrayal of delicate medieval floral motifs, both aiming to rekindle interest in this fading art form.

“The idea behind this exhibition was to reawaken interest in the vanishing art of chintz painting,” said Bappaditya Biswas.

“Today’s market offerings labeled as chintz fail to capture the authenticity of traditional paintings. I aspire to explore the potential for reviving this intricate and beautiful painting technique,” Biswas said.

The exhibition is an educational platform, aiming to reintroduce the traditional mordant-resist process of natural dyeing integral to chintz painting.

“This process involves using transparent organic salt solutions thickened with natural gum, known as the mordant, to obtain colors. Each color necessitates a meticulous application of the mordant, followed by consecutive dyeing, resulting in the desired array of hues,” Biswas added.

Curator Ina Puri expressed her excitement, said, “When I first encountered Bappaditya Biswas’s home-studio, I witnessed his dedication and innovative experiments with chintz. Observing the embryonic stages of artwork on dyed fabrics was inspiring. It was not just art in progress; it was a visionary’s dream taking shape.”

When: 11am to 7pm; December 1 to December 10

Where: Threshold Art Gallery, C-221, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi