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SPLENDOUR in a li'l BOX
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The Guinness Book has created a record of sorts by not finding a place for a lovely silk sari that is six metres long, weighs 60 grams, and fits into a matchbox
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Narayanappa fitting his wonderful creation into a matchbox
GURUM R. NARAYANAPPA'S feat was so amazing that the Guinness Book of World Records was probably not ready for it. His six-metre-long silk sari, weighing a mere 60 gm., fits snugly into a family-sized matchbox. The sari, made with just two warps and four wefts, the Guinness Book told Narayanappa, was too specialised to find a place in the book!
Though it was a let down for Narayanappa, who put in over four months of painstaking effort to make the sari, a similar feat he had accomplished two years ago received due recognition. He was presented the Master Craftsmen's Award from President Abdul Kalam on December 12, which included Rs. 25,000 in cash, besides a tamarapatra and angavastram. He was chosen for this award for another sari that also fits into a matchbox. TheFilms Division of India also made a 14-language documentary on Narayanappa and his work. The recognitions keep Narayanappa going, who now says he is prepared to sell his latest sari that made the Guinness bid for Rs. 40,000, and in case no offer came up, he would keep it with himself.
Narayanappa hails from Melkote. He learnt the trade of making saris from his family, which has been in this line for decades. Fifty years into the field now, Narayanappa was inspired to make his sari by the work of his grandfather, who had made one for the Maharaja of Mysore 80 years ago. That sari today adorns Sri Chamundeswari.
In 1999, Narayanappa's friend, Venkataswamy, presented him some 50 to 60 silk cocoons. Initially, he did not know what to do with the cocoons. His wife, Kamalamma, however, suggested that they boil the cocoons to extract silk strands. They went ahead and did it, but used the strands in an unconventional way. Traditional silk saris are made of 14 and 21 strands of silk yarn for the warp and the weft. Narayanappa, however, made use of only two strands for the warp and one for the weft in his sari. The 60 gm., six-and-a-half metre-long, cream-colored sari was ready after five months of hard work by him and his wife.
When his achievement was brought to the notice of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC) and the Central Silk Board, the officials were more than thrilled. They put up the sari for display at the Handloom Expo in Bangalore, and at the International Textile Fair, New Delhi, in 2002. Narayanappa had earlier won the third prize at the Co-optex design contest, Sristi, in 1995, for his work on a pallu. Soon, felicitations followed, and at one of them, Narayanappa presented his sari to the Kannada film star, Prema. When the crowd clamoured to see the sari, he unfurled the 6 1/2-metre masterpiece from a family size matchbox to their utter amazement!
Narayanappa's achievements seem to have inspired his son, Janardhan, who has come up with one of his own: he has just made a 120 gm. sari for college girls most of who, he believes, do not like to wear heavy saris. And the father and son duo now plan to make a double-cloth sari, work on which has already commenced. The sari, which will incorporate zari, butta, and pallu, they hope, will be liked by college students. Another innovation they are planning is to include the fall, while weaving the sari itself.
Narayanappa, who worked as a silk weaving master from 1985 to 1991 at the Kasargod Weaving Co-operative Society in Kerala, now does piece work for the KHDC, earning between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 4,000 that helps him run a family of four boys and four girls. Narayanappa remembers with gratitude also the encouragement from a building contractor, Venkataswamy.
Narayanappa recalls an interesting story that served as an inspiration to make his masterpiece. In 1955, he recollects seeing the Queen of England and the Maharaja of Mysore pass by the Ulsoor Gate. They were proceeding to Lalbagh, where the Queen was to plant a tree. Narayanappa was impressed by the Queen's wonderful dress and wondered why he should not make a sari that would befit someone of her stature. But he is quick to add that he would not know how to go about presenting it to the Queen if he were to make one for her today!
His wish is also to present saris that fit into matchboxes to contestants of the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
Dreams apart, Narayanappa is not one to forget that handlooms will disappear if weavers fail to get support from the Government. He reminds us that it takes a two to three days to make a sari. Narayanappa puts in that kind of work to make his saris. There were times when he would work from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Even with advancing age making it difficult, this craftsman puts in a lot of work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone interested in Narayanappa's hand-woven saris can contact him at 18, Nagarahole Nagar, Sri Shaneeswara Swamy Temple Street, near Mohan Theatre, Sunkadakatte.
M.V. CHANDRASHEKAR
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