Art Attack with Madhu Neotia on the India Art Fair: 'Fashion is seasonal, but style is timeless'

The India Story, participated at the recently held India Art Fair in New Delhi, where the heirloom textiles of the Neotia Family were exhibited. The garments which are part of Madhu Neotia’s personal collection of family heirlooms, were truly appreciated by visitors and also inspired them to preserve, conserve and repurpose their own.

These have been chronicled in a coffee table book, titled From An Era Bygone - The India Story which is a poignant tribute to India’s rich textile heritage and the timeless art of heirloom preservation, and gave the visitors an opportunity to reflect on history and heritage, and rediscover and cherish the country’s artisanal legacy.

Edited excerpts from the interview with Madhu Neotia:

How does it feel to complete 10 years of The India Story?

Difficult actually to put in words - the emotions run deep, at one moment it feels like yesterday when we set forth with the passion-charged dreams to make something that truly honours and acknowledges the gamut of talent our

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country stores in the tiniest of its pockets. On the other hand one feels humbled thinking about the journey that The India Story has covered in this last decade to reach this wonderful milestone!

Your collaboration with Amit Aggarwal - how did it happen?

Like most things at The India Story, this collaboration also came about quite spontaneously. We had been discussing the work that Amit was doing using vintage benarasis and felt it to be a very powerful fashion statement given the way it marries the old with the new, the traditional with the modern. Conversations began around this and our very dear friend, Indrani (Indrani Dasgupta Paul) connected us with Amit’s Team. And the rest is now part of a beautiful story of TIS X Amit Aggarwal.

Any plans for expanding The India Story ?

There are some plans but we have always been very mindful about growing meaningfully. This year for instance we will be at The India Art Fair, showcasing a video installation on Heirloom textiles. The IAF this year celebrates textiles and we felt it would be special to weave the tale of this heritage with The India Story in Delhi this time. We hope in time we will have more meaningful engagements to grow with.

You have a very individual style of your own…what do you have to say about fashion Vs. style?

Honestly, I have never premeditated it. It has just evolved from my love of all things Indian - the different crafts, the various skills, the beautiful weaves and the patterns. It is a paradise to choose from and so unique in itself. Our family has had a precious collection of heirlooms that have been nurtured and preserved very lovingly across generations. I have always felt at home using these fragments of heritage over the years and pairing them with modern elements to keep their stories alive beyond the trunks of storage.

For me, even at the expense of repeating a cliche, fashion is seasonal style is timeless.

Your favourite designer and why?

So many of them - it will be unfair to name a few because I admire them for their individual specialness - for instance: Tarun Tahiliani’s attention to detail is incomparable and how beautifully he has kept up with time! Sanjay Garg - I love the way he interprets Benares! Payal Khandwala - for creating the most contemporary silhouettes using traditional weaves, Anamika Khanna for her painstakingly studied elegance that stands timelessly. Rahul Mishra for his absolutely magical craftsmanship and of course, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the absolute pride of our city for making India a global icon!