Muslin Seminar

Sonia Ashmore and Saiful Islam at the Muslin Seminar held at the BNM

In February, 2016, a series of seminars and discussions were held at the Bangladesh National Museum.  National and international experts, senior policy makers and many artisans came together to share their ideas in a lively and constructive exchange of views.  Four broad themes, centred on muslin’s future, emerged out of these discussions.

Instituting policies that will help revive muslin at the national level

Restoring its heritage by communicating muslin’s history widely

Researching the production challenges, i.e. cultivation, spinning and weaving

Investigating ways of introducing the ‘New Muslin’ into contemporary designs

Each theme was led by a senior official of the Government who brought policy experience to the discussions.

Presentations by experts such as, Ruby Pal Chowdhury, Artisana, and Darshan Shah, Weavers Studio, India; Rosemary Crill and Sonia Ashmore from the V&A Museum; Ruby Ghuznavi, Aranya, Hameeda Hossain, NCCB and Dr. Fariduddin Ahmed, BCDB, and others, brought new information and impetus to the project.

It was evident from the enthusiastically well-attended events that Bengal Muslin’s efforts to revive our lost heritage was being welcomed and hugely appreciated.