In the holy city of Benares on the left bank of the Ganges in the Indian region of Uttar Pradesh, weavers have been making brocaded silks and cotton fabrics with gossamer-like threads of gold, silver and cotton for centuries.  Brocade textiles are woven by thrusting special threads in regular patterns between the weft and warp threads. Traditionally, brocades depict elaborate floral motifs. These designs became popular when it was forbidden to depict animals and people in textiles. The creeping vine and mango designs of Benares brocades became the inspiration for the paisley print found in Europe. Today, the world serves as muse to a weaver. A weaver in Benares was once heard saying, “We get inspiration from the woods and the river, from the face of a person or from looking at a wall.”

Shameem is a member of the New Delhi based non-profit Sutrakaar that supports and promotes traditional Indian crafts.