This saree is woven by tribals of Chota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand.
Largely dependent on forests and mines for their livelihood, they would weave infrequently until a bank reached out to the weaving cluster as part of their CSR.
Momi contributed with suggestions on colours, yarn quality and gave design inputs. Her way of giving back to a place close to her roots.
Often through this year, people have asked me how the ‪#‎100sareepact‬‬ will impact the weavers.
I remind them that the #100sareepact is not a business proposition or a trust. We are not the experts. But what we have done is brought the discussion on a platform which is truly global.
And on this platform we will tell the stories of the women who wear their sarees with pride as much as we will tell the stories of men and women who weave them.
Bringing recognition to the weavers, artisans, and growers of cotton and silk is a complex exercise.
I am delighted that through the #100sareepact the conversation has begun amidst the wearers. A conversation untainted by commercial compulsions.
Salute to the weavers of Jharkhand today, who weave their sarees not knowing who will wear them and how. Nor what it will come to mean to the wearer.
A woman in Bangalore received a present from her friend and wore the saree twice already.
Once to a gathering that celebrated another friend’s sixtieth birthday & a strong woman who could teach life a lesson of two and then, the same evening, bidding goodbye to another set of friends who’ve pushed their comfort zone and are moving across continents.
The second time I wore this saree was to muster enough strength to sit close to a Doberman.
I was chased and bitten by three Doberman when I was nine years old and have not been comfortable around dogs ever after that.
Bruno and Bruno’s Mom made me take my first step to overcoming my fear. (People who know me well know what a huge step this was for me).
Two outings in this saree that makes me feel like I can do anything if I try hard enough.
Woven for me by tribals I’ve never met, brought to me by a friend who worked with them to refine it.
Could it be the collective wisdom that went into making the saree that makes me feel stronger ? ‪#‎weareallconnected‬‬
Saree #98