Kunbi: The Goan Fabric Of Life

Samira Sheth is thrilled to see the traditional Goan Adivasi sari brought to life under the dedicated efforts of Dr. Rohit Phalgaonkar and Vinayak Khedekar

- Samira Sheth

SARIS are such an integral part of the Indian consciousness, often fulfilling a plethora of needs other than those of mere clothing. Often, identity, history, heritage also become part of the garment. And every region of India has its own representative sari - Gujarat has the Bandhani, Orissa the Sambalpuri, Tamil Nadu the Kanjeevaram, Kerala - the Pattu and so on. The diversity of dress in India is fascinating. It is really lamentable that despite having its own fabric - the Adivasi Kappodds also called the Kunbi (saris worn by the Christian Adivasi communities), Goa has made no effort to proudly reclaim this part of its lost heritage.

Until now, that is. Two dedicated art and cultural historians, Vinayak Khedekar and Dr. Rohit Phalgaonkar are determined to give the Kunbi it’s due and get the Government to declare it the signature textile of Goa.