IIT Hyderabad students say no to graduation gowns, wear Pochampalli capes - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

IIT Hyderabad students say no to graduation gowns, wear Pochampalli capes

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Aug 17, 2016 06:46 PM IST

Students give a high five to local craft, wear capes made by Pochampalli weavers of Telangana at convocation

Instead of the regular black graduation gowns, students of IIT Hyderabad (IITH) at their recent convocation paid tributes to local weavers by wearing Pochampalli ‘capes’ made by them.

Prof Deepak Mathew (centre) with IIT Hyderabad students at the convocation.(Handout image)
Prof Deepak Mathew (centre) with IIT Hyderabad students at the convocation.(Handout image)

Prof Deepak Mathew, head of the department of design at the institute, had, a few months ago, made the proposal that black graduation gowns be discarded for what he called a “cross between a stole and a cape, held in place with a button” made by weavers at Pochampalli village in Telangana (where IITH is located). The regular practice till this year has been to rent gowns from local suppliers, each costing Rs 450. Costs of the woven pieces were approximately the same but this time the students got these as a keepsake.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Women weavers sorting out dyed threads before the weaving process begins. (Handout image)
Women weavers sorting out dyed threads before the weaving process begins. (Handout image)

Mathew, who has also worked with the National Institute of Design, has previously engaged the Pochampalli weavers in classroom projects and has documented their craft. For the convocation he had to work with them to get the IITH logo woven into the fabric. Known for their fabulous Pochampalli saris or ikat (a tie and dye weave) the weavers dye the warp and weft threads to create designs and patterns on fabric.

The capes were colour coded - BTech students wore deep brown, MTech wore light blue and PhD scholars were given yellow. (Handout image)
The capes were colour coded - BTech students wore deep brown, MTech wore light blue and PhD scholars were given yellow. (Handout image)

The convocation capes had colour codes - BTech wore deep brown; MTech wore light blue and PhD scholars were given yellow. Offsetting them perfectly were white kurtas and pyjamas, though the students were also told they could wear dhotis.

A weaver at work in one of the Telangana villages. IIT Hyderabad aims to make the Pochampalli craft sustainable (Handout at image)
A weaver at work in one of the Telangana villages. IIT Hyderabad aims to make the Pochampalli craft sustainable (Handout at image)

Prof Mathew hopes to improve upon the design next year. This year, the weavers were given just two months to make the capes even though they needed at least 90 days. “We will give them six months next year to make the pieces, and are hoping to create something better,” he says.This is also a good way for the institute to support a local craft and make their art sustainable.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ayesha Banerjee is responsible for Hindustan Times’ weekly supplements, including HT Estates, HT Education and HT ShineJobs.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On