Tales from the Birbhum Kantha Cluster and Nadia Hand-painted Textiles CLUSTER of West Bengal

Arjina’s narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of modest aspirations and untapped potential, in the remote village of Hatkaluha, nestled in the Birbhum district. With her education capped at Class 8 and her husband navigating the bustling streets of Kolkata as a bus driver, the dream of a home seemed a distant mirage in their horizon of limited income.

Arjina, hailing from a lineage of Kantha workers, found herself thrust into the realm of commercial enterprise through the introduction of the FMC-CISCO initiative. Swift to adapt, she absorbed modern design techniques with ease, infusing her Kantha work with a contemporary flair previously untapped within her community.

Exhibiting remarkable leadership, Arjina swiftly orchestrated the formation of a production group, rallying five other women artisans to her cause. Together, they embarked on a journey of innovation, creating samples adorned with modern designs.

Thanks to the market linkage facilitated by the project, the production group now boasts a monthly earning of Rs 25,000—a testament to the transformative power of opportunity. Arjina, with prudent foresight, channels these earnings towards the gradual construction of her new home and securing a brighter future for her daughter amidst the uncertain landscape of rural life.

Sapna, veiled in the shroud of low self-assurance, once inhabited a realm of muted communication. However, the advent of the FMC-CISCO project provided her with a sanctuary for engagement with fellow artisans, thus shattering the confines of her reticence. Within this newfound space, she gleaned invaluable insights into the market dynamics governing her Kantha stitch work, empowering her with knowledge and confidence.

No longer bound by the shackles of timidity, Sapna now navigates the labyrinthine paths of local trade with newfound assertiveness. Armed with the ability to negotiate, she successfully commands a 40% higher price for her labour, catapulting her income to Rs 4200. In this metamorphosis, Sapna emerges as a testament to the dynamic power of opportunity, transcending the confines of her former self to navigate the economic landscape with newfound vigour and acumen.

In the serene village of Hatkaluha, in Birbhum district, amidst the whispering winds and the timeless rhythm of life, Haseena Bibi stood as a central figure, her courtyard serving as the nurturing ground for dreams to take flight.

When the women artisans of her village sought to harness their newfound skills under the FMC-CISCO project, Haseena Bibi emerged as a beacon of support. With a heart brimming with generosity, she opened her courtyard to them, providing sanctuary for their creative endeavors where space was scarce.

As the women artisans gathered within the confines of her courtyard, Haseena Bibi watched with a quiet joy, her soul alight with the flames of empowerment.With each stitch, she witnessed the birth of possibility, the transformation of thread and needle into symbols of resilience and unity.

With her extensive experience in Kantha stitch, she became not only a provider of space but also a guide and mentor to the young artisans.

Hatkaluha’s production group now functions from Haseena’s courtyard, weaving a story of woman empowering woman with every delicate movement of the needle.

In the obscure shadows of Hatkaluha village, Siuli, a marginalized member of her community, navigates the tumultuous waters of economic dependency, her family’s sustenance reliant on her husband’s meagre income of Rs 6000 a month. Her journey, once confined to the domestic realm of Kantha work, takes a transformative turn upon witnessing the participation of fellow women artisans in a training program.

Driven by newfound fervor, Siuli immerses herself in the FMCCISCO program, overcoming her previous inability to create motifs independently. With her nascent proficiency in motif design, she collaborates closely with the Ms. Queen Borah, design-head of the project, birthing a plethora of Kantha-inspired products ranging from cushion covers to table runners.

Siuli’s emergence as a creative force within the production group heralds a paradigm shift, as her innovative ideas breathe life into previously unexplored avenues of Kantha work, improving on marketability of products beyond the local market. This metamorphosis culminates in a tangible increase in revenue for the production group by 60%, with Siuli now earning Rs 4000 per month—an affirmation of her newfound role as a valued asset within the community