Kashi plans 'kimkhab' gift for the US first lady Michelle Obama

"I would like to gift kimkhab to the US first lady," said Amresh Kushwaha, a master weaver of the city.

By TNN | Updated: Jan 22, 2015, 12.30 PM IST

Kashi plans 'kimkhab' gift for the US first lady Michelle Obama

VARANASI: The weaver community of the temple town, which is also the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, plans to offer an exquisite 'kimkhab' fabric to US first lady Michelle Obama who would be visiting India along with US President Barrack Obama to attend the Republic Day celebrations. If accepted, the gift would prove to be the highest brand building opportunity at international level for the ailing handloom industry that has a glorious history of weaving, they claim.

"I would like to gift kimkhab to the US first lady," said Amresh Kushwaha, a master weaver of the city. "The fabric of dreams, kimkhab is a heavy brocade woven with silk and gold threads mostly in Varanasi. Kimkhabs were earlier made entirely from fine gold or silver threads. During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, some were set with precious stones, and were used in making canopies and trappings as seen in the late Mughal paintings," he added.

"The best gift for her would be the brocade fabric for dress material and beautiful scarf," said Kushwaha, who also heads a cooperative of weavers. Since Varanasi is PM's constituency, it would be a great branding opportunity for Banarasi handloom if Michelle Obama accepts the gift, he said.

"Definitely, the ailing Banarasi handloom sector would get a major boost if we get an opportunity to present our finest products to the US guest," said Noman Abdin, another expert of Banarasi weaver. He wants to present traditional 'kadhua' fabric woven exclusively on handloom.

Several people associated with the Human Welfare Association, which is the registered proprietor of GI Registered Banaras Brocade and Sarees, said that Banaras is willing to gift Obama an IPR (Intellectual Property Right) product of the country. "It will create a high brand building at International level and the handloom industry that is facing crisis due to several reasons will get a boost. Thousands of the weavers and artisans will be recognized for their traditional and unique work", said Dr Rajani Kant, president of HWA.

They were excited to capitalize this opportunity for the revival of handloom industry. "The sentiment of weavers should be honoured," said BJP's state spokesperson Ashok Pandey. "It would be good for Banarasi handloom industry if the finest products are gifted to Michelle Obama," said Ashok Kapoor, an exporter and former president of local unit of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Since Varanasi is PM constituency, the US is giving special attention to the city, he said adding that the officials of US embassy made visits to the city in the recent past.

Just a day after PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi visit, the US Charge d'Affaires in India (interim US Ambassador to India) Doris Kathleen Stephens was in the city on a three-day visit beginning December 26. She also visited weavers' colony and a beads factory and enjoyed boat ride in the Ganga. Besides site seeing, she also explored the possibilities of tie-ups for research and exchange of knowledge programme between the institutions of India and the US. She had a meeting with BHU vice chancellor and director of Institute of Medical Sciences.

'We see First Lady as brand ambassador': Varanasi Vastra Udyog Association is willing to see the US first lady Michelle Obama as the international brand ambassador of Banarasi handloom products. The organization has also requested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present Banarasi saree and fabric to Michelle Obama during her visit to India. "We have requested the PM to present Banarasi handloom fabric to the visiting distinguished US guest," said an office-bearer of the organisation requesting anonymity. "For the revival of Banarasi handloom sector, we also wish to see Michelle Obama as the international brand ambassador of the famed products," he told TOI.

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