A remarkable story of cultural preservation and entrepreneurial spirit is unfolding at the National Crafts Mela in Chandigarh's Kalagram. A small collective of women from Sangrur has become the heart of the event, drawing crowds with their skilled hands and traditional creations.
From Household Chores to Handicraft Hub
At the centre of the group sits 70-year-old Baldev Kaur, her experienced hands deftly weaving thread to stitch a drawstring. Her hands, marked by time and labour, speak of a lifetime of resilience. She is surrounded by relatives, all united in a common mission: to showcase their craft at a major fair for the very first time.
"We were at home and wanted to create work for ourselves," explains Baldev Kaur. "After completing our daily morning and evening chores, we had many free hours. We wished to engage in something that would keep our culture alive and make the younger generation aware of its beauty."
What started as a simple way to pass time has blossomed into a full-fledged small handicraft unit. The women now expertly create ghagras, chikkus (baskets made from sarkanda grass), parandis, naalas, and various other traditional items. As their reputation has grown, so has the demand for their unique products.
Reviving Heritage with Modern Tools
Gurpreet Kaur, another member, reflects on their journey. "In our youth, we saw these items being made at home, but our focus was on formal studies. Later, we realised the younger generation was drifting away from these traditions. That's when we decided to revive them."
The women, who live close to each other, gather daily at the house of Jaspal Kaur. The collective work began there after Jaspal, who is the wife of Gurpreet's elder brother-in-law, lost her husband and found herself spending long, lonely hours. After her mother moved in, the space gradually became a workshop for the neighbourhood women. "It keeps us meaningfully occupied and also provides us with an independent income," Gurpreet states.
They source their raw materials from Sangrur city and have adeptly used social media platforms like Instagram to reach a wider customer base. "We embrace technology now. Our Instagram accounts help us connect directly with people who appreciate our work," she adds.
Crafting Identity from Agricultural Waste
Their collection includes signature pieces like a small decorative container, a design once used nearly 150 years ago to store simple makeup, with red remaining the dominant and auspicious colour. Notably, many of their products are crafted from agricultural waste. The women meticulously wash and dry the material, then wrap it strand by strand with thread—a painstaking three-day process that results in beautiful, multipurpose bowls made entirely by hand.
They also practice innovative recycling, transforming old cardboard and books into colourful bowls. This process involves soaking the material for up to 20 days before mashing and shaping it. Their work has resonated strongly with the Indian diaspora, with buyers abroad eager to own a piece of tradition from their homeland.
Beyond the financial benefits, the women emphasise that this endeavour has given them a profound sense of identity and purpose. One of them shares a powerful sentiment: "As young girls, we all had our own dreams. We wanted to be known by our own names, not just identified through our husbands. This work has finally given us that recognition."
