India international quilt festival to go virtual next year
India’s first-ever quilt festival was held in January 2019 and it received an overwhelming response globally. A promise was made to hold the second edition in 2021. But with COVID 19 pandemic, many events and event organisers are left in a quandary. But the three intrepid quilters, who organised the first edition, decided to make good their promise and bring the India International Quilt Festival to quilting homes across the world, digitally. “India has one of the oldest traditions of quilting. But over the years, quilting has evolved. The first edition of the India Quilt Festival displayed how hobby quilters, serious quilters and entrepreneurs now look at it as a serious art form. The colours, choice of fabric, textures and designs on fabric offer a cornucopia of options and the result, like true art, is interpretive and holds emotive appeal. During the lockdown, many have taken up quilting as an engaging activity. Not only adults, but even children also can take up quilting,” says Varsha Sundararajan, one of the organisers. The other two organisers are Tina Katwal (who started India’s first quilting studio called The Square Inch) and Deepa Vasudevan.
The virtual event comprises competitions, exhibitions, workshops, festival catalogue and a bazaar. Sharing with us some of the highlights of India International Quilt Festival 2021, she continues, “Three interesting highlights are floral rhapsody, gen nxt and Indian quilts category. The theme quilts category of competition is floral rhapsody and it provides a wide scope for interpretation of the theme. Gen nxt is a new category created for quilters below the age of 18 years because we feel that to sustain and keep alive any art tradition, it is important to involve and enthuse the youth. The third category is the Indian quilts category — quilts that reflect the rich textile tradition of India and its various quilting styles. Competitors are encouraged to showcase the spirit of India in whatever style and form they choose.” Those who are interested to participate can submit their entries before December 15 via www.indiaquiltfestival.com.