21-Day Textile Study Tour to Rajasthan & Gujarat with Artist Ai Kijima

<p>Join the Textile Society of America and artist <a href="https://www.aikijima.com/">Ai Kijima</a> for a rare, in-depth study tour through India’s living textile regions. This 21-day program runs September 10–October 1, 2026 and travels through Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, and Ahmedabad. Led on the ground by Dr. Chiman Dangi and Shokat Ali, the tour gives small groups privileged access to artisans, studios, markets, museums, and village communities where textile knowledge is practiced and transmitted every day.</p> <p>This program is designed for artists, curators, scholars, collectors, educators, and dedicated textile enthusiasts who want more than a surface-level visit. Over three weeks you will learn by doing, observing, and conversing with makers whose work carries generations of skill and meaning.</p> <p><strong>What to Expect</strong></p> <p>You will participate in hands-on workshops in Bandhani tie-dye, Ralli quilting, Ajrakh block printing, Patola double-ikat, Rogan art, brocade weaving, woodblock carving, and a range of embroidery and weaving techniques. The tour includes guided visits to major institutions and private collections, including guided access to the Calico Museum of Textiles and the Living & Learning Design Centre (LLDC), and a lecture and studio visits at NIFT Gandhinagar. You will also take part in collaborative community projects, traditional celebrations, and market visits that reveal how textiles shape social life.</p> <p>TSA is committed to fair-wage and ethical exchange. All artisans, guides, and cultural partners involved in this program set their own rates, and TSA does not determine or reduce those payments.</p> <p><strong>Itinerary Highlights</strong></p> <ul> <li>Arrival and orientation in Udaipur with a residency visit and collaborative project in Badanga village</li> <li>Bandhani workshops and a saree or ghagra-choli celebration in Jodhpur</li> <li>Ralli quilt workshops, Sufi singing, and desert village visits in Jaisalmer and Barmer</li> <li>Patola weaving demonstration and a visit to Rani ki Vav in Patan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by transfer to Kutch and Bhujodi weaving communities</li> <li>Rogan art demonstrations in Nirona and curated visits to LLDC, private textile collections, and Bhuj Haat artisan market</li> <li>NIFT lecture, brocade weaving demonstrations, woodblock carving, and guided tours of Ahmedabad’s old city and the Calico Museum of Textiles</li> <li>Farewell dinner and closing reflections in Ahmedabad before departure</li> </ul> <p><strong>Practical Information</strong></p> <p>Dates: September 10–October 1, 2026<br />Group Size: Enrollment is intentionally limited to preserve access and depth of experience.<br />Rooming: Single and double occupancy options are available. TSA offers a roommate matching service for travelers seeking double occupancy.<br />Inclusions: Lodging, group meals, museum admissions, workshop and studio fees, activity fees, and private coach travel between locations.<br />Exclusions: International airfare, airport transfers to your home city, and travel insurance.<br />Payment: An initial non-refundable deposit is required at registration. Full payment terms and deadlines are available on the registration page.</p>