Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today and with good reason!

While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.

WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.

I was born in the craft-rich state of Orissa and was surrounded by handlooms from a very young age. I recall creating clothes for my dolls from leftover hand-woven cloth as early as age 4. My father took great pride in our handloom heritage and introduced me to various forms through visits to villages where he interacted with the artisans.

After a short stint in corporate roles, I took on a small project with a fashion designer, which in hindsight was a turning point. I enjoyed being surrounded by fabrics and crafts while applying my mind to design. This drew me to my career in the apparel industry, and it has been 31 years since. I am grateful to my father who gently nudged me towards my passion.

I was introduced to Chikankari in my childhood, and it was love at first sight. I went to Lucknow to gain a deep insight into the craft and came back to Delhi to collaborate with a Chikankari artisan. That relationship has endured over 3 decades and continues into their second generation.

Chikankari has given me everything I have desired. I was recognized by UNESCO in 2012 and won an award for the Asia Pacific region. In 2014 and 2016, I was recognized by the World Crafts Council, and I represented India in their Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Much earlier, I received wonderful support from various Crafts Councils (India Crafts Council, Delhi Crafts Council, Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu, Crafts Council of Telangana – Dastkar) that fueled my growth and encouraged me to spread my wings.

Today, I run my business along with Amit, who is my business and life partner. A financial professional, he transitioned into our business when I needed additional hands to nurture a growing business. This was another turning point because this gave us the impetus to take our business to the next level.

For me, success is pursuing one’s passion with transparency. My clients, artisans, and staff put their trust in me, and I take that very seriously. My actions are centred around doing justice to all my stakeholders with utmost honesty.

COVID was one of the most challenging periods and it has had a long-lasting impact on the artisans who lost lives and livelihoods in significant numbers. We are yet to recover from that disruption as remaining artisans are moving away from the craft to more lucrative professions. Against the backdrop of a dwindling ecosystem, my purpose today is to hand over the legacy of this beautiful craft to the next generation. I want to create awareness, understanding and love for Chikankari and will continue till I achieve my goal.

Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.

Photo and Interview credits – Saonli Bedi of WisdomCircle