A stitch so sublime

Ever wondered what a saree or a cushion cover would look like with a pictorial narrative on it? Or draping a bride’s preparations for a wedding along your body? That is what the Srijanis (name given to women who craft products in Bihar) do. These marginalised women who belonged to the erstwhile manual scavengers from Bihar have been working laboriously to recite their stories through their art which is being displayed in the city for the very first time.

Veena Upadhyay, who is the honourary founder of Srijani, has worked with these women in a meticulous three step way. The first was to educate them. “The idea was to teach them basic numbers and alphabet so that they could open their own bank accounts. Step two was to get them to work together in groups. We started with 58 women until we taught them everything that encompassed the art form. From colours to techniques to embroidery and the whole nine yards,” she recalls about the initiative that has just finished three years. For 10 months in 2010, Neeti Bose, who now teaches craft in a design school in the city, worked with the women.

Once the women were educated, unified and trained, Neeti and Veena conducted another two week programme to give them a voice. “Though it sounds a little melodramatic, the idea was just that. These women had no idea how to express themselves and communicate. However, once they gained a little confidence, it was amazing to see the outpour of thoughts and ideas from them,” states Veena. Srijani is currently under the umbrella of International Academy of Environment, Sanitation and Public Health and has given employment to 375 women. Kiran, one of the Srijanis, is paying for her son’s education in Symbiosis, Pune with the money she has earned through her handicraft.

Apart from giving employment, the initiative is also focusing on reviving lost art forms like Sujini (embroidery done with running large scale stitches) and Khatwa (reverse applique). “Everything that is crafted is done from scratch. They weave their own material and work with them,” adds Veena. Some of the products they make are photo frames, trays, soft toys, office stationery, semi-stitched kurta pieces, stoles, dupattas, jholas and potlis  made from luxurious, soft natural fibres — hand woven, exquisitely embroidered and tastefully dyed with natural colours.