National Seminar on Textile Traditions of the Deccan held at MANUU

Hyderabad:

The H.K. Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University organised a national seminar “Textile Traditions of the Deccan: Materiality, Labour and Technology”. The seminar focused on textiles as an important component of the region’s material culture and historical experience, highlighting the relationship between textile production, artisan communities, traditional knowledge, labour, and technological practices. It provided an academic platform to discuss the evolution of textile traditions, the skills and knowledge of weaving communities, and the significance of preserving traditional crafts in the contemporary world.

The inaugural session, held today, was presided over by Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, MANUU. Smt. A. Vani Prasad, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, Government of Telangana was the Chief Guest, while Smt. Uzramma Bilgrami, textile revivalist, was the Guest of Honour. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Sanjay Subodh, Department of History, University of Hyderabad.

The valedictory session was attended by Prof.. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar, MANUU, as the Chief Guest, and Shri Gajam Govardhana, Padma Shri awardee and UNESCO-recognised master weaver, was the Guest of Honour. The session was chaired by Prof. Rekha Pande, of the University of Hyderabad.

According to Prof. Salma Ahmed Farooqui, Director, Centre the deliberations in the seminar addressed the historical significance of textile production in the Deccan and the contributions of artisans and weaving communities to the region’s economic and cultural life. The seminar’s interdisciplinary approach sought to connect historical research with contemporary discussions on textile revival, traditional craftsmanship, natural fibres, sustainable production, and the transmission of indigenous knowledge across generations.

The participants were textile researchers and revivalists from industry and academia who came all across India to present their papers. There were fruitful discussions. The seminar becomes important in the context of declining textile traditions of the Deccan and reinforces the efforts made by the revivalists.

Dr. A. Subash and Dr. Shahid Jamal were the seminar coordinators.