Thu Feb 05 13:47:24 UTC 2026: ### Siddi Women Quilters Find Cultural Exchange Through Madras Checks

The Story:
Siddi women practitioners from north Karnataka are using traditional Siddi quilting (kavand) and Madras Checks to explore routes of displacement and cultural exchange. Two Siddi women, Hanaphabi and Saidambi Naik, traveled from their village in Karnataka to Chennai to showcase their kavands at the ‘Threads of Confluence’ exhibit at DakshinaChitra museum. This exhibit, featuring 50 colorful quilts, marks the first time Siddi women incorporated Madras Checks, a historically significant fabric from the former Madras Presidency, into their hand-stitched quilts. The initiative, spearheaded by Anitha Pottamkulam and Anitha N. Reddy, aims to connect the Siddis’ history with the materiality of Madras Checks, a fabric with a rich history of export from South India.

Key Points:

  • Siddi women from north Karnataka are showcasing their kavand quilts, incorporating Madras Checks for the first time.
  • The ‘Threads of Confluence’ exhibit was held at DakshinaChitra Museum in Chennai in December 2025.
  • The Siddi community, with origins in Sindh, Pakistan, and Africa, has historically faced discrimination and distrust from outsiders.
  • Madras Checks, a fabric originating from the 12th century, has a long history of export, particularly to Africa, where it’s known as “injiri”.
  • Art historian Anitha N. Reddy has been working with the Siddi community since 2015-16, helping them showcase their craft and gain recognition.
  • The project involved collaboration between DakshinaChitra, Anitha N. Reddy, and the Old Madras Trading Company (OMTC), which provided the Madras Checks fabric.
  • OMTC co-founder Ranvir Shah now owns the 55 quilts created for the exhibit.

Key Takeaways:

  • This initiative highlights the intersection of cultural heritage and economic empowerment for the Siddi community.
  • The use of Madras Checks in Siddi quilts creates a tangible link between two distinct histories: the African diaspora in India and the global trade routes of South Indian textiles.
  • The project emphasizes the importance of collaboration between art historians, cultural institutions, and businesses in promoting and preserving traditional crafts.
  • The exchange between Siddi quilters and Tamil fabric weavers at the OMTC factory exemplifies cross-cultural interaction and understanding.
  • Despite the success of the exhibit, the Siddi women remain concerned about larger issues, such as environmental challenges affecting their livelihoods.

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