I'm done...almost!!

Its been a stressful week - In all honesty, I just didn't think it was going to get over!! But the good news is, I'm done.

I'm done!!

Yay!!!!!

Well... not completely, but my writing is over. I'm now working on InDesign. Its a total of 17,403 words. I've conducted the study in an inverted pyramid format or Funnelling Format - I've started with an introduction to the case, then moved on to my Secondary Research, which is my literary review. From there I've moved on to the 5 case studies - which is my Comparative Audit. Then, I've narrowed further in to my In-depth Analysis of Bailou, after which I have described the results of my own field test. This section includes my samples. I then created a matrix of my study. This matrix has resulted in 5 variables that I have deduced from my research, as essential attributes to Design Intervention. This section also includes my analysis, and comparison of my field test against the other case studies.

I've also gotten all my samples, and my next blog entry will have the pictures. My submission is on Monday, and I will be back in Bangalore on Saturday, the 11th of October. The sense of relief is overpowering. It's also a little scary - seems almost too good to be true!!

H-E-C-T-I-C-!-!

Hectic hectic hectic!!! Lots of work to be done in a short span of time. I have already begun my content, and as per the schedule I have made for myself, the content part of it - the written matter - shall be done by this evening.

I've reverted back to my nocturnal ways - find myself far more productive at night than I am during the day!! All I have to do is pass the 11 o clock mark. Once that's done, staying awake is not an issue!!! I'm definitely feeling more positive about this. I received my first set of samples. It was good to finally see what we had planned for. The styles are very different as the samples have come from two weavers. I shall be receiving my last set at the end of this week.

The content has worked out to be 8300 words approximately right now....!!! There is a little left to do still, and then I'll proof read it. Collating all of it - the information I have found out - has been a strange experience. There have been times when I was confused, unsure of where I was headed, with a picture in mind that wasn't always very clear. Now, putting it all down, it is quite simple how everything falls into place. The questions I had enlisted in my first proposal, the questions that came to me through the course of the project - the answers seem to all be there; I swear when clarity hits you its like a beam of light!!!!

I'll upload a few excerpts from my content once I have it all written down. Till then...

An Update, Some Clarity, My Structure

I have taken into consideration all that my panel and I had discussed, and the feedback that was given to me. I have re-read my proposal that I submitted at the beginning of my project and studied the information i have collected as well, and the main research question I have identified upon which my project is based is

What is the Importance of Design Intervention in Lieu with Sustainability of the Craft?

In order to answer this, I have come up with a structure for my information.

MACRO PICTURE OF TEXTILES ---- MICRO PICTURE OF BENGAL ------- BAILOU

To detail this out a little further,

> A basic background to understand the case. This will cover the historical aspect
of textiles, brief examples of crafts and their importance in the identity of the states
they are from (Manipur, Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kashmir)

> The types of interventions that have taken place that has enhanced the value of
the craft and brought it to the foreground (Dastkar, Bailou, UMBVS)

> Detailed account of Bailou - the work it does, the structure, the synergy,
the weavers, their stories; a short history on this which will include
photographic and literary representation of the changes that have been
made, both in terms of products, as well as the market demand

> Example of International model of working that has been successful
in terms of sustainability (not in terms of craft, but ecology and development):
The Body Shop

> Conclusion that will include my findings, identifying problems in
the current system and offering suggestions, identifying further opportunities
for research.


I have also been given the structure that is normally followed when writing a research paper by one of my resource people, who is a Project Researcher for a non-profit research group that has been established to promote and foster best practice in sustainable development in Edinburgh. I will be following this structure for my documentation.

It has been quite a while since I last wrote and I apologize for that. A lot has happened since then - sometimes the pace seemed to pick up, and sometimes when it was so slow it was almost stagnant. I have realized that I have a severe allergy to the village, which doesn't work to my advantage at all! So, I've had to resort to daily trips in a car, which is exhausting, and cuts into extremely precious time. It hasn't been easy at all, because there are other orders that are being taken care of, and the pressure of the pujas being around the corner has caused quite a few set backs.

I have been to Bangalore for my 2nd Review Meeting and I started my review by telling my panel all that I had achieved in the last month. I had been to Fulia, and started some work there, which I have documented. It was pointed out however, that the interaction between the weavers and me had not been documented, and that I will do over the remaining time here. Many questions were asked about the direction of my project and these helped me in trying to channelize all the information that I have gathered over the last two months. The feedback given to me was

> I needed to now consolidate my efforts and work with a strong and clear focus. To do this I am going to frame one clear research question upon which my project will be based.

> By identifying this focal point, I will be able to go into a little more in detail of this angle/aspect/focal point, which will give my project a definition.

> My panel has also given me a framework with some crucial questions that need to be addressed in terms of the research I am doing in Fulia – Questions that, once answered, will give me a clearer picture of the impact design intervention will have/has had on the weaving community. For example, what have been the weaving processes and raw material used? Weavers’ lives and identities? Markets? Product? Interventions?

> I was also advised to go back to the initial proposal I had written, and re-look at what I had intended to do at that time, and see what questions I already had answers for, and what areas I have not covered yet.

> To identify my stand in the information I have collected.

The Hut with Four Looms contd...

This is a clearer picture of the hut with four looms. I've said it so many times, it sounds like the title of a story or something!!! But this is the structure of a number of huts in the village, and the looms are all pit looms, as seen in the video.

The Hut with Four Looms

This was taken more for the sounds than anything else. It was also shot in the evening when the light was very low, so I apologise for the lack of clarity.

These looms belong to Sapanda, the main weaver for Bailou. There are other groups like this too, where there is a master-weaver whom others work for. This hut has four looms in it, three of which were being worked upon at this time.

My trip was cut short by a day.... I fell ill. Its not how I planned it at all! But it's alright. I've uploaded some more pictures on my flickr account, of this trip. It was nice being there - takes a little while to get used to the silence!! But I was staying in the middle of all the weavers, which was nice. I visited my neighbours, to see the work that was going on. Some working for Bailou, some for other export houses. Lots of tangal saris. I could meet the weavers I'm working with only post seven in the evening, because that was the only time they had free. We spoke about my college, what I learn, what this project is about. We also spoke about the state of handloom, the demands, the loyalties of the weavers. It was an eye-opener, and it is a mindset. There are those few who have different ideas, and are struggling to strike a balance between what is, and what they want. For the rest, its a mindset.