Reviving & Sustaining Traditions

Photography & Documentation

The initiative of the National Institute of Fashion Technology under the USTTAD Project is funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and is dedicated to the weaver and crafts-person communities of India. The USTTAD project aimed to promote Benaras's traditional weaving communities through photographs and to document a comprehensive report of globalisation's economic conditions and effects. The scope of work involved capturing the various processes of banarasi weaving, such as graph making, card punching, bleaching, dyeing, warping, weaving techniques, patterns, motifs, colours and designs, to showcase the rich heritage and skills of these communities. The final report was designed to serve as a reference and resource for promoting and developing these traditional arts and crafts.

Photo Essay


The photo essay for the USTTAD project documented the rich and diverse world of banarasi weaving in Benaras, India. It captured the essence of the community, their environment, and the traditional processes involved in banarasi weaving, such as graph making, card punching, bleaching, dyeing, warping, weaving techniques, and the creation of intricate patterns, motifs, colours and designs. The essay also showcased the various weaving looms, weaving centres and the intricate craftsmanship that goes into making the banarasi fabrics. The photo essay aimed to preserve the rich cultural heritage and to raise awareness about the art of banarasi weaving.

Project Report


The report documentation for the USTTAD project aimed to present the findings and insights from the documentation of the Banarasi weaving community of Benaras in a comprehensive and visually appealing manner. The scope of work included structuring the report in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, creating grids and layouts that highlight the key points, designing a visually appealing cover page, carefully selecting the typefaces that align with the tone of the report, incorporating charts and SWOT analysis to present data and insights, and curating images captured during the photo essay to illustrate the key points. The end goal was to create a report that effectively communicates the findings and serves as a valuable resource for the community and stakeholders.