BACKGROUND

For elevation of people living Below the Poverty Line (BPL) the Government of India has initiated numerous projects to initiate sustainable rural initiatives. Unfortunately, most projects have failed and a handful of success stories exist, more as exceptions than a rule. The failure to create sustainable rural employment has led to the migration of rural population to the urban areas leading to a near collapse of the urban infrastructure. Therefore, there is an emerging opportunity to rectify the situation by undertaking a live project and delivering a viable marketing plan which would help to generate sustainable rural employment amongst BPL weavers. As a pilot project, the first initiative is planned in Nagaland in North East India, where the traditional weaving skills of the women are proposed to be leveraged to create rural sustainability.

SITUATION ASSESMENT AND ANALYSIS

• Weaving is still a traditional home grown skill amongst rural women in Nagaland and they are extremely adept in weaving of geometry based designs. • The traditional weaving technique of the Nagas employs the loin loom method. Weaving in the olden days was done to primarily cater to the meet the personal clothing requirements of the family. However, over the years since personal clothing patterns around western outfits the traditional patterns are mainly worn during festivities. • The traditional products were basically shawls for the men and women, lungis for the ladies and jackets and tunics for men and women.Only the Konyak tribe also made bags. These were made from home grown cotton and coloured with vegetable and plant dyes The tribes of Nagaland are Sumi, Lothas, Angami, Ao, Kuki, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Pochury, Rongmei, Rengma, Sangtam, Yimchungru, and Zeliang, of which the Konyaks, Angamis, Aos, Lothas and Sumis are the largest Naga tribes. Tribe and Clan traditions and loyalties play an important part in the life of Nagas. Weaving is a traditional art handed down through generations in Nagaland. Each of the major tribes has its own unique designs and colors • Exotic Echo has only built upon the inherent skills of the people and helped create the market linkages and given wings to their aspirations.

NAMES OF OUR WEAVERS AND ARTISANS FROM NAGALAND

• DOVULLU • KUGHALI • VIKRONULLU • ZULHUCHOLU • KUDUVOLU • ABENI • CHEKRONULLU • CHIZOLU FROM NAGALAND • SATOLI • NINE • VAKRALIE • KEDUPELO • THUKUVELO • NUZOTALU • MULUTTALU • CHEKROSE • ASSINI

NAMES OF OUR WEAVERS AND ARTISANS FROM MANIPUR

• ABEI • TANGYOPHY • AWON • ACHON • AYAO • SALOMI FROM MAIPUR • SIARAWAN • TIMRAWON • APPAM • ATIM

PRESENT PRODUCTS FROM THE WEAVING INITIATIVE OF EXOTIC ECHO

• Shawls for men and women • Stoles • Jacket • Wrap Arounds • Baby Suits • Sling Bags • Cushion Covers • Bed Covers • Table Cloths • Table Mats

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE OF “EXOTIC ECHO” WEAVING PRODUCTS FROM NOV 08 – AUG 10