The Weaver's Story - Part 3.
Tanuja Somani - Empowering Women.
KANTHA WEAVER.
Tanuja Somani is 60 years old.
She is in this field since 1993.
Addressing Kantha she says Kantha got its name from the old technique of stitching old sarees in layers and used as mats or bedcovers. It used to be a simple running stitch only.
She admitted that the difficulty is, when a piece is in the artisan's hand for six months it can get stained or spoilt. It is a hassle.
Time for completing one saree depends on the design and also the time the artisan devotes to it. But still, a saree takes three months minimum and up to nine months. A dupatta takes 40 days minimum.
The whole procedure is buying raw material, tracing designs, choosing thread colors, doing embroidery, dry cleaning goods, and then selling them.
There are many sarees that take a long time she says but barely remembers anyone special time-consuming.
Tanuja says "My personal level my husband is very cooperative, hence no family or health issues. Financial issues are there when the material is damaged or when a customer fails to pay the bills or is not willing to. I have met a variety of people on this journey and have had an amazing experience. In 1993 when I first visited the village I thought of uplifting the villagers. There is a drastic change in its financial position now. They are very hardworking and have received government aid too. People retire at 60 but I feel I shall continue as long as I can in my journey."
Tanuja later expresses, handwork has its own specialty. There is artistic touch, creativity, uniqueness, and exclusiveness. Each work differs from another. It gives great pleasure and satisfaction.