India Week with Brinda Gill - A Rare Glimpse into Indian Trade Textiles

‘When Indian Flowers Bloomed in Distant Lands’ – Masterworks of Trade Textiles 1250-1950 in the TAPI Collection is an exhibition of historical Indian trade textiles, showcasing masterpieces from the renowned TAPI Collection. Hosted at the Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the exhibition runs from December 8, 2024, to March 9, 2025. The museum, a beautifully restored residence, provides an ideal setting for this exhibit, with its charming blend of heritage and modern architecture, surrounded by lush lawns and old trees.

The exhibition highlights some of the earliest and most rare Indian trade textiles from the TAPI Collection, a prestigious private collection based in Surat, Gujarat. Founded by Shilpa and Praful Shah, the collection includes some of the finest examples of historical Indian textiles. Over the years, the Shahs have generously shared their treasures with the public through exhibitions and publications.

From ancient times, Indian textiles—ranging from fine Bengal muslins, double-ikat silks from Gujarat, hand-painted cottons from the Coromandel Coast, to Kashmir shawls—were highly sought after by global markets. This demand led to a thriving trade in textiles, with artisans producing exquisite textiles tailored for specific international audiences. The craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal of these textiles were unmatched, capturing the imagination of discerning patrons worldwide.

The exhibition brings to light textile masterpieces created in India for export between the 13th and 20th centuries. The displayed works offer a rare window into the global influence of Indian textiles on fashion and trade over a span of 700 years.

Among the highlights are large chintz palampores from the Coromandel Coast, which captivated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries; intricate hand-block printed and hand-painted ceremonial cloths from India, known as ‘maa,’ used by the Toraja people in Sulawesi, Indonesia; a 19th-century pashmina shawl from Kashmir, decorated with graceful paisley patterns that were once favored by European royalty and aristocracy; and sacred double-ikat silk patolas from Gujarat, highly prized in Southeast Asia. Visitors will also have the rare chance to view textile fragments excavated from Fustat, near modern-day Cairo, and remnants of ‘sarasa’—used in tea ceremonies by Japanese daimyos or feudal lords.

This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience priceless historical textiles that reflect the extraordinary skill of Indian artisans and the pivotal role played by traders and entrepreneurs in establishing India as the center of the world’s textile trade. These textiles not only highlight India’s rich cultural heritage but also reveal the global reach and enduring influence of Indian craftsmanship.

Exhibition Details:

Dates: December 8, 2024 – March 9, 2025
Open every day except public holidays
Timings: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

For more information:
Website: kasturbhailalbhaimuseum.com
Instagram: @kasturbhailalbhaimuseum
Email: klmuseum16@gmail.com

TAPI Collection Website: tapicollection.org
Instagram: @tapi.collection

Images Courtesy: TAPI Collection