Authors: Assistant Professor Dr Deep Shikha Pandey, Ms Pooja Kumari
Abstract: This research paper titled "Visualising Government Schemes on Household Linen: A Creative Interpretation Through Cloth – Katran", explores an innovative fusion of sustainable textile art and social awareness. Under the visionary leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, various welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have been launched to empower citizens. However, effective communication and dissemination of these schemes to rural and semi-urban populations remain a challenge. To address this gap, the present study creatively integrates the visual identity of these government initiatives into household linen using leftover fabric scraps (katran), promoting both sustainability and awareness. A white bedsheet was selected as the base canvas, onto which logos of the schemes were first traced and then artistically enhanced using colorful fabric scraps. This transformation of everyday household items into mediums of public messaging merges aesthetics with advocacy, aligning with global movements of upcycling and sustainable design. The final product was evaluated by 30 faculty and staff members of Magadh University using a five-point rating scale, based on parameters like color combination, appearance, design, and cost-effectiveness. The results revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with the majority of participants rating the design as "Excellent" or "Good." The study not only demonstrates the potential of fabric art in public communication but also highlights new possibilities for self-employment and craft-based entrepreneurship, particularly among women. In conclusion, this research sets a precedent for using household textiles as functional tools for spreading awareness about national schemes while promoting sustainable practices. The integration of katran into creative messaging serves as an environmentally friendly and socially empowering approach, offering new avenues in design, education, and rural entrepreneurship.
