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This #NationalHandloomDay I want to share the story behind a project I started in May - Cinnabar. I’m extremely grateful for the love & patronage we’ve got so far. 2020 is a really tough year. I request to continue supporting the artisans & make handmade a part of your lifestyle.
Say whatever about Twitter, you can find genuine inspiration here. This article is what motivated me to go to #Chanderi. I also met some of the people mentioned here & learned that they’d already received some help from the readers..thanks to @mohitmrao https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/mp-weavers-hanging-by-a-chanderi-thread/
Mohit was also prompt in sharing his contacts with me. With his help, I met Dilshad who took us to some houses close by. While walking, Dilshad said something that stayed with me. He said they really appreciate the free ration & donations but how long can this be sustained..
He said they would feel much better if instead they could somehow sell the sarees they’ve made and get a fair price for them. This took me back to an article I’d read a few days back where @pbmehta talks about everyone’s right to dignified livelihood. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/coronavirus-covid-19-india-lockdown-migrant-labourers-6367384/lite/
I bought two sarees with the cash I had. On my next trip, I went to Dilshad’s house and a few others in Bahar Sheher, Chanderi. A lot of houses in these lanes have a handloom and pre-lockdown stock that they see no scope of selling. I was amazed looking at the variety of sarees.
Sitaram, a weaver in Bahar Sheher took me to some more weavers without a middleman. His son told me if every household can sell 3 sarees, they’ll be able to get ration and pay their bills for the month. I bought sarees from different people and promised I’ll come back again.
If you’re a saree lover, a conscious shopper or someone who has recently decided to buy local..please check out the sarees on our Instagram page & DM us. With your help we can keep going back to buy more directly from the weavers & support more families.
https://instagram.com/cinnabar?igshid=sfphjrocqvt6
https://instagram.com/cinnabar?igshid=sfphjrocqvt6
Our weavers need compassion but more urgently they need cash to sustain the loom, pay rent, do repairs & buy raw material. There are some great brands and designers that employ Indian weavers. Look for them, buy from them. Buy handmade. Help the artists who keep this art alive.
