Let’s Pop Up!
Antaran’s journey of developing weaves at the Kamrup cluster has been full of mixed emotions — from scepticism to excitement and from tears to laughter, the weavers associated with the programme have been through it all! Prior to Antaran’s handloom development intervention in Kamrup- Assam, most women here wove cloth only for personal use or to sell to members of their village.
Through an intensive learning course of 500 hours across 6 months learning about new techniques, designs, quality, markets and much more with the Antaran Team, the Kamrup artisans have come a long way, successfully setting foot in the domain of commercial weaving for first time in their lives!
To support the artisans in launching their products and developing business of handwoven fabric further, Antaran organised a Pop-Up sale in Delhi, where 2 artisans personally sold their products for first time along with fellow weavers from clusters of Nagaland and Odisha — where Antaran is carrying out similar interventions. They interacted with designers and buyers, booked orders, visited stores and learnt much more about markets! This Pop-Up was so successful that the artisans geared up in full swing to prepare for the next one taking place in Mumbai on the 24th and 25th of this month.
Here are the expressions of some of our artisans all set to Pop-Up:
“I represented Kamrup cluster at the Delhi Pop-Up in May. It was so interesting, I learnt about new weaving techniques and ideas from the artisans of Orissa and Nagaland. This time we’re in a dilemma — we’re so busy completing an interesting co-designing assignment that we can barely devote any time to weaving for the Pop-Up! Here’s wishing our entrepreneurs all the luck!”
-Kabita Kalita, Monikanchan Handlooms
“I’m amazed at my own progress! When I joined the Antaran training Program, I barely had any sense of colour schemes. My products were monotonous and repetitive. As I gradually progressed with Antaran, I discovered my own creativity and weave a wider range of products by experimenting with new colour schemes, designs and patterns. Starting up my own enterprise was far from being a dream… I had never imagined that I would be going to a big city like Bombay to exhibit my products one day! Every hour of this training program has only helped me evolve. I do not consider even a single minute wasted at the Antaran Incubation and Design Centre at Bhagwati Para! See you with my products in Bombay!
- Dipika Kakati, Navaprbha Enterprise
“I live right at the bank of the Brahmaputra; my house will get flooded in July. Do you really expect me to go to Mumbai?” Asked Thageshwari Das! Thageshwari — the head of her household, looks after her aged mother, her sister, her brother and his family. When we approached her last month to attend the Pop-Up taking place in Mumbai next week, initially, she declined the offer. However, she was convinced enough within a couple of minutes when we explained how much we valued her efforts… she took a deep breath and accepted the offer! She truly believes that despite all adversities, the show must go on!
Our artisans have no excuse to skip the Pop-Up despite the horrendous flood situation in Assam… what’s yours?!
Diana Frenchman
Program Officer,
Antaran Kamrup
