A historical journey of Indian textiles, in the context of
the Swadeshi (Indigenous) Movement.
Domain | Brief
Museum Design | Culture and Heritage Education | Narrative Exploration
To research, curate and visualise what a museum of Indian textiles would look like in the context of the the Swadeshi (Indigenous) movement which was part of then Indian Independence Struggle against British Rule. The potential site for this project was a textile mill in Pune called Raja Bahadur Motilal Mills.
Timeline | Role
3 weeks
I was approached by Architect Avinash Bhise to create a pitch deck for the redevelopment of this site. This was an individual project, hence, I was able to lead the entire process from research all the way to conceptual renders.
Overview
India has a very rich textile history. From traditional handicrafts like “Kalamkari” and “Bandhani” to largescale “Muslin” production, India has been a historic cultural hub for not only textile design but textile innovation. During India’s Freedom Struggle, indigenous textiles like Muslin became a symbol of national pride and played a crucial role in creating unity amongst different factions of the society. Today, we have only scratched the surface of this rich history.
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Charkha (Spinning Wheel)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nepali_charka_in_action.jpg
Block Printing
Image sourced by Employer
Hand Loom
Image sourced by Employer
"Palpali Dhaka" Textile on Power Loom
Purpose
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To document the rich cultural history mills embody and educate people about the Swadeshi Movement in a meaningful, engaging way.
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To spread awareness about different historical processes that have shaped today’s fashion and textile industry worldwide.
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To build a close-knit community of fashion and textile enthusiasts, while providing accessible recreational spaces and platforms for expression.
Target Audience
Local crowd from Pune who may visit multiple times.
Tourists from nearby towns,
to see cultural landmarks
of Pune.
Students from schools and colleges in Pune, visiting for educational trips.
Corporate employees, typically from fashion or textile industry.
Raja Bahadur International Limited (RBIL) Stakeholders.
Site Analysis
Cultural Significance
Pune was one of the first urban areas in India, where Swadeshi mills were established. It exemplifies indigenous Marathi culture, giving prominence to education, arts and crafts. The potential site for this project was the Raja Bahadur Textile Mill, founded in 1893 by Raja Mukundlal Pittie in Pune. It was the city's first private clothing industry, providing local employment and improving the city’s economy.
Today, the mills have been transformed into a social hub called “The Hive”, housing various restaurants and bars and the site has lost some of it’s cultural significance. Raja Bahadur International Limited (RBIL) remains a prominent industrial presence in Pune.
Renovation Guidelines
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No civil changes can be made to the structure, strictly interiors can be reworked.
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Space has to be reserved for the RBIL employees.
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The zoning follows an open circulation to allow for shorter, easier access to public zones such as the gallery and seminar hall.
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Textile artefacts needing maintenance will be displayed in the "Sakalat" (Present) zone, hence this zone has to be in proximity to
the conservatory.
Circulation
Site Area - 6237 meters sq. (115.5 m x 54m)
Main Zones
Lobby
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Information Desk
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Mural of Pune
Central Arena
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Thread Installation
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Antique Powerloom artefact
“Itihaas” (History)
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Colonial Exploitation
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Swadeshi Movement
“Sakalaat” (Present)
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Draperies
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Handicrafts
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Fashion and Retail
RBIL Branding
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Logo
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Photos with descriptions
Conservatory
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Thread Installation
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Antique Powerloom artefact
Store
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Museum souvenirs
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Exhibit specific retail items
Gallery
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Exhibition space for artisan collaborations
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Projector
Ancillary Zones
Cafe
Restrooms
Back of House (BOH)
Raja Bahadur International Limited (RBIL) Administration Block
इतिहास ("Itihaas", History) Zone
Indian textiles were globally renowned ever since the 1750s, but British exploitation during the “Raj” (colonial reign) led to a decline in their production. The "Itihaas" (History) zone will provide visitors with context on the Swadeshi movement and the textile mill’s contribution to it.
Dimensions - 36m x 20m
Vedi Installation - Abstract representation of the burning of Manchester cloth
Sub Zone 1 - Introduction and global popularity of Indian textiles
Sub Zone 2 - Colonial exploitation of the Indian textile market
Sub Zone 3 - The Swadeshi Movement
"Charkha" (Spinning Wheel) Installation
Sub Zone 4 - LED video panels playing clips from documentaries and new channels on the establishment of mills and The Great Bombay Strike
सकलात ("Sakalaat", Present) Zone
As the biggest zone in the museum, it is a window into the vast textile culture and heritage that our country embodies. This zone will be a journey from ancient draping methods, all the way to how modern textile manufacturing happens today and how the textile retail and fashion industry have evolved with the emergence of synthetic textiles.
Dimensions - 33.5m x 31.5m
Sub Zone 1 - Introduction to region specific fabrics and types of draping
Sub Zone 1 - Introduction to region specific fabrics and types of draping
Standing displays of glass pressed textile
Sub Zone 3 - Print resources for Indian textile history and textile industry, a discussion area
Sub Zone 4 - Recreational area for workshops and demonstrations
Sub Zone 5 - Role of retail with textile samples for feeling the texture