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LOOM FOR A LIVING

For decades, families in the Kamrup and Nalbari districts of Assam viewed their generations-old tradition of weaving as a leisure-time activity. Passed down from mother to daughter (and occasionally to son), weaving was rarely seen as a source of primary income for the household. Then in 2018, Antaran — the crafts-based livelihood initiative of the Tata Trusts — was launched in Kamrup and Nalbari, and later in Dimapur in Nagaland. Weavers received training to expand product lines, use natural fabrics and dyes and incorporate new designs. They were also provided with marketing support, particularly with online sales.Antaran has opened up new avenues for Assam’s weavers. More than 1,200 artisan weavers have been enabled through the project. Then there are the artisan entrepreneurs, who have earnings of 200,000 to 800,000 a year. That’s not so traditional.

The first batch of artisan entrepreneurs in the Antaran programme after their training in 2019
The first batch of artisan entrepreneurs in the Antaran programme after their training in 2019
Artisan entrepreneur Kabita Kalita (above) winding a bobbin, one of the many pre-loom processes in the craft of weaving
Artisan entrepreneur Kabita Kalita (above) winding a bobbin, one of the many pre-loom processes in the craft of weaving
A weaver engaged in pirn-winding, where yarn is wound around bobbins before being fitted to the shuttle of the loom
A weaver engaged in pirn-winding, where yarn is wound around bobbins before being fitted to the shuttle of the loom
Artisans with design educator Liz Williams at a workshop in 2020
Artisans with design educator Liz Williams at a workshop in 2020
A group of artisans at a workshop conducted by natural dyeing expert Jagada Rajappa (centre). These workshops were held at Antaran’s incubation and design centre in Kamrup
A group of artisans at a workshop conducted by natural dyeing expert Jagada Rajappa (centre). These workshops were held at Antaran’s incubation and design centre in Kamrup
Sayanika Nath, who is training to become an artisan entrepreneur, wearing a <em>mekhala chador</em> — a two-piece garment for women — that she herself designed and wove
Sayanika Nath, who is training to become an artisan entrepreneur, wearing a mekhala chador — a two-piece garment for women — that she herself designed and wove
Artisan entrepreneurs with the smartphones they were gifted by CRISIL Foundation to facilitate digital marketing of their products
Artisan entrepreneurs with the smartphones they were gifted by CRISIL Foundation to facilitate digital marketing of their products
Jyotshna Kalita, the proprietor of Aalok Handlooms, at Antaran’s incubation and design centre in Kamrup
Jyotshna Kalita, the proprietor of Aalok Handlooms, at Antaran’s incubation and design centre in Kamrup
An artisan warping yarn, a pre-loom process that precedes weaving
An artisan warping yarn, a pre-loom process that precedes weaving
Products made by Mina Handlooms, one among the many businesses under the Antaran umbrella
Products made by Mina Handlooms, one among the many businesses under the Antaran umbrella
Namita Nath, the proprietor of Sakhi Handloom, working with cotton as part of her training at Antaran
Namita Nath, the proprietor of Sakhi Handloom, working with cotton as part of her training at Antaran
A table linen set, including napkins and a runner, created by artisans for an Antaran initiative that focuses on design training and product range expansion
A table linen set, including napkins and a runner, created by artisans for an Antaran initiative that focuses on design training and product range expansion