On 16 June 2022 Muslin Trust were invited to speak at the first of the Bangla Courtyard discussions called ‘Dhakai Muslin Story’, a new series of public engagements held by the Bangladesh High Commission (London) and hosted on the grounds of London’s School of Oriental & African Studies.
Dr Sonia Ashmore gave a presentation about the changes in garment styles and an overview of the history of Muslin. Saif Osmani spoke about the journey towards learning to re-make garments using Muslin.
Slideshow of photographs from Bangla Courtyard, Dhakai Muslin Story:
The full programme for Bangla Courtyard: Dhakai Muslin Story is given below:
Opening speech: Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK will be joined by Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor, SOAS.
Chief Guest: Speech by Honorable Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, Ministry of Textiles and Jute
Storytelling
Dr Sonia Ashmore, Design Historian (UK)
Saiful Islam, Lead, Muslin Revival Project, Bangladesh
Panel talks
Professor Edward Simpson, Director, South Asia Institute, SOAS
Ms Avalon Fotheringham, Curator, V&A, London, the UK, (Video Speech)
Dr Md. Monzur Hossain, Eminent Botanist, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, (Zoom Online)
Sarah Mahaffy, Textile Entrepreneur, London, the UK.
Rezia Wahid, Textile Artist and Designer, London, the UK.
Moderator of the Plenary: Saif Osmani, Artist and Trustee of Muslin Trust, London, The UK
Open Discussion : Hybrid format engaging online and participants present.
Thanks By Her Excellency Honorable High Commissioner, Saida Muna Tasneem
Further links:
School of Oriental and African Studies, London: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/bangla-courtyard-episode-1-dhakai-muslin-story
Dhaka Tribune article: https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2022/06/15/first-episode-of-the-bangla-courtyard-to-shed-light-on-dhakai-muslin
Original programme and proposal (Muslin Nama): https://muslintrust.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/muslin-trust-bdesh-hc-pcn-bsf-on-muslin.pdf
Muslin Trust 