agosto 30, 2024
Liberty, Equality & Justice: Constitution Jacket by Porgai
Porgai Artisans Association are a community of Lambadi Women located in Sittilingi Valley, Tamil Nadu, reviving their traditional craft and exploring a unique artistic voice through contemporary textile works.
The ANJELMS Project recently facilitated the showcasing of Porgai's works at our Stitching Stories Exhibition
The Constitution Jacket By Porgai Artists is a garment that has something to say.
Stitched within its organic hand spun weave, is a pictorial narrative calling for the liberation of historically disadvantaged communities across India.
"When we were discussing The Indian Constitution with the artisans" Says Porgai Co-founder, Dr Lalitha Regi "we talked about equality, liberty and justice"
"One of the women said that she doesn't have any of these at home, and sadly many others agreed. Most women in India, in varying degrees, lack all of these rights enshrined in the constitution"
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The Jacket shows a women with one hand tied down to the ground, bound by injustice. The other hand, opens up towards the sky reaching towards hope; hope for freedom, hope for respect, hope for social change.
"They (the artisans) also felt that they could be free like a bird, so next to the hand we have embroidered a blue jay, a common bird here in Sittilingi to represent that freedom"
The Jacket uses carefully considered colour symbology, paired with the motif featured on the pre-amble of the Indian Constitution to represent the different groups of people who are typically exploited and dis-advantaged in Indian Society.
The first motif is stitched in blue to represent the Dalits. "For Centuries and even now, the Dalits are disadvantaged because of the caste system." Shares Dr Lalitha "The Indian Constitution is written so that every citizen has equal rights. But though it is enshrined in the constitution, there is a marked inequality for Dalits and so many other disadvantaged sections of society."
The next motif appears in rainbow, to represent the LGBTQ+ community, an idea that came directly from the women at Porgai Artisans.
"Our hospital (Tribal Health Initiative), is very LGBTQ+ friendly. We have trans people come visit us from the nearby valleys because they feel more comfortable here. In our staff meetings we discuss the existence of LGBTQ+ people and make sure that all of our staff know that it is normal, and for them to be treated with dignity"
The third motif is subtly embroidered in white, representing peace and harmony.
And lastly, a fourth motif found on the blouse of the appliquéd woman is embedded red and blue thread to identify the women as belonging to the Lambadi Tribe.
 
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This design was initially an embroidered, hanging tapestry. But through the facilitation of design consultant, Anshu Arora, the piece was translated into garment form.
 
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This garment is embroidered by the women of Porgai on organically grown, hand spun and woven cotton from their home lands of Sittilingi Valley.
A carefully considered art piece in its own right, this garment shows how clothing can be so much more than just fashionable or even sustainable; but a voice for the women who stitch them.
Clothing has the ability to tell stories, share values and initiate change.
The purchasing of this jacket directly supports Lambadi Women artisans to continue to tell their stories and further their artistic process.
Limited Stock available at Store Fib, 19 Blinco Street, Fremantle. Or email anjelms@anjelms.com to order.
Written by Aimee Vandersteen
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