Agartala, Mar 8: Smriti Rekha Chakma, an indigenous Chakma artisan from Tripura, has devoted her life to preserving the age-old custom of loom weaving. Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024 for her excellence in conventional weaving, she stays deeply involved concerning the financial struggles forcing many gifted women to abandon the craft.
“It pains me to see expert women unable to pursue weaving due to monetary hardships. I urge the federal government to introduce schemes that present monetary assist or a month-to-month honorarium, enabling these women to proceed their work,” she mentioned on Worldwide Women’s Day.
Born on September 20, 1964, Chakma has been weaving intricate conventional designs since childhood, utilizing the loin loom—also called the backstrap loom—a easy but highly effective gadget crafted from bamboo and wooden. She inherited the craft from her grandmother, mastering it early and dedicating herself to its preservation ever since.
Her dedication to excellence was acknowledged with the distinguished Padma Shri, awarded for her distinctive talent in crafting eco-friendly, vegetable-dyed cotton textiles. But, regardless of her accolades, her foremost concern stays the sustainability of this heritage craft and the livelihoods of the artisans who rely on it.
Chakma has impressed numerous women to embrace the artwork of weaving, however monetary instability continues to push many away. Talking from her dwelling in Agartala, she reaffirmed her mission to hold the craft alive. Whereas a few of her college students have earned nationwide recognition, others have been pressured to surrender weaving due to financial difficulties.
“I imagine that with the appropriate help from the federal government and different stakeholders, this artwork can’t solely survive however thrive globally. Our conventional textiles are our identification, and so they deserve worldwide recognition,” she added.
Chakma additionally highlighted the rising demand for handmade textiles in each Indian and worldwide markets, underscoring the potential for sustainable livelihoods by way of conventional craftsmanship.
Because the world celebrates the achievements of women, Chakma’s voice stands as a robust reminder that preserving heritage crafts is a collective accountability—one which ensures no artisan is left behind within the journey of cultural and financial empowerment.
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