Through the Eye of a Needle - Documentary

Video Description

This is the story of a unique group of craftswomen. Follow their journey as they return to creating the world-class embroidery that made their ancestors famous. The incredible stories of the women from the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan co-operative (KMVS) are recorded here through video, song, laughter, and stitch. History here is worn as generations of knowledge are passed down through embroidered designs. Long a valuable item of trade, the embroideries also provide a common ground for women to meet and bring their stories to the world. Experience the amazing landscape of the Kachchh (Kutch) Desert on India’s western border, the remarkable diversity of the communities who live here, and the breathtaking colours of their textiles. Directed by Charllotte Kwon Written and Filmed by Charllotte Kwon and Bronwyn Chambers Narration by Micheal Vonn Editing by Tim Mclaughlin Music by Jhajhan Ram KMVS song written and sung by Nandubai Jadeja This documentary has been digitally enhanced from its original format to improve image clarity and resolution. Eye of the Needle Book - https://maiwa.com/collections/books/products/book-through-the-eye-of-a-needle-stories-from-an-indian-desert-by-maiwa-and-kmvs Shop Maiwa's collection of Kachchh embroideries - https://maiwa.com/collections/kutch-1 💌 Sign up to receive beautiful emails that celebrate artisan work, slow clothes and natural dyes - https://mailchi.mp/maiwa/subscribe 🍿 WATCH NEXT: 1. https://youtu.be/V5bmlGaqzPY?si=A2g5M5N1AmNThgb0 2. https://youtu.be/jcx1xxscxbY?si=UxdyIxhNrhtwsg48 3. https://youtu.be/7mVyv92ycYg?si=kddcTUrd-4k8ITDQ MORE PLACES TO FIND US: 🌞Our website & shop - https://maiwa.com/ 💃🏽Maiwa’s Slow Clothes - https://maiwa.com/collections/all-clothing 🌿Natural Dye & Textile Workshops - https://maiwa.teachable.com/ 🧶Natural Dye Tips & Recipes - https://naturaldyes.ca/ 📸 Instagram: Maiwa - https://www.instagram.com/maiwahandprints/ Maiwa School of Textiles - https://www.instagram.com/maiwaschooloftextiles/ Maiwa Natural Dyes - https://www.instagram.com/maiwa_naturaldyes/ WHO ARE WE? We are natural dyers, textile lovers, travellers, teachers & designers 🌿 A family business for over 35 years: Natural Dyes, Slow Clothes, Artisan Goods, Organic Bedding, Handwoven Textiles, Online Natural Dye Workshops, and more… ⌚️Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - The Kachchh (Kutch) Desert 01:28 - The role of embroidery in desert communities 02:45 - Embroidery as a language 03:43 - Symbols of desert life 05:23 - Village life in the desert 06:15 - Protecting culture and tradition 07:37 - Make contemporary work commercially viable 08:40 - KMVS 09:36 - Making decisions 10:15 - Meena Ben & KMVS’s role 12:13 - Charllotte Kwon and the idea of an artisan exhibition 16:20 - Earthquake strikes Bhuj, Kachchh in 2001 18:28 - How designs are created 19:23 - Annual KMVS dividend meeting w/ artisans 24:29 - Training centre 25:38 - Empowering the embroiderers 27:03 - Craft’s role in desert communities