PANAJI: Goa’s centuries-old Kunbi weaving tradition is set to receive a fresh platform in popular cinema, with filmmaker Maneesh Singh announcing that his forthcoming Bollywood film will feature the traditional craft as part of its storyline. The initiative is expected to introduce audiences across India and overseas to one of Goa’s oldest indigenous textile traditions, which is said to be more than 600 years old, at a time when the craft is struggling for survival.
According to the makers, the film’s screenplay incorporates scenes depicting the traditional process of weaving Kunbi fabric. The second female lead in the film will portray the character of a member of a Goan Self Help Group (SHG) engaged in producing the fabric using traditional handlooms, natural dyes and age-old weaving techniques that have been preserved by local artisans for generations.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the gradual decline of Kunbi weaving, a craft regarded as an important part of Goa’s cultural heritage. With only a handful of experienced master weavers continuing the practice, conservationists and cultural organisations have repeatedly highlighted the need to create greater awareness about the tradition and encourage younger generations to take up the craft.
Director Maneesh Singh, who has often spoken about his admiration for Goa’s culture and traditions, said the inclusion of Kunbi weaving in the film is intended to showcase an important aspect of the state’s heritage to a wider audience. By making the weaving process part of the narrative, the film aims to familiarise viewers with the craftsmanship involved in producing the distinctive fabric and the role played by rural communities in preserving the tradition.
The film will feature scenes illustrating the preparation of natural dyes, the operation of traditional weaving equipment and the collective efforts of women’s Self Help Groups involved in the production of Kunbi fabric. The makers believe that presenting the craft through mainstream cinema could contribute to greater public awareness and appreciation of Goa’s indigenous textile heritage.
The initiative is among the latest instances of Bollywood drawing attention to the traditional Kunbi saree. Actress Poonam Dasgupta has also joined efforts to promote the fabric by partnering with the non-governmental organisation Goemcho Goenkar, which has been working to safeguard and revive the historic weaving tradition.
The organisation has brought together skilled artisans from the regions of Canacona, Sattari and Sanguem, where knowledge of Kunbi weaving continues to survive through experienced craftsmen and women. The revival initiative seeks to preserve traditional techniques while creating opportunities for local artisans to continue practising the craft.
Financial support for the programme is being provided by Poonam Dasgupta, who has said that preserving the weaving tradition is essential to ensuring that an important part of Goa’s cultural identity is passed on to future generations rather than disappearing over time.
As part of the awareness campaign, Dasgupta has announced that she will wear a traditional Kunbi saree during the grand international finale of a fashion pageant scheduled to be held in Goa during the first week of September. The appearance is expected to provide international visibility to the handwoven textile and highlight the craftsmanship associated with its production.
Goemcho Goenkar and supporters of the Kunbi revival movement believe that increased representation in films, fashion events and public platforms can help generate renewed interest in the fabric while creating viable economic opportunities for artisans engaged in its production.
With both a Bollywood feature film and an international fashion event set to showcase Goa’s traditional textile, proponents of the craft hope that wider public recognition will contribute to preserving one of the state’s oldest and unique weaving traditions and encourage continued efforts to protect its cultural legacy.