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  • Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

The USHA Silai School program is playing a critical role in restoring and promoting traditional art and crafts. The Silai heroes have been using their skill and creativity to preserve indigenous art and also to increase their earnings through the fusion of traditional art with modern skills. Here is how three Silai Heroes from Gujarat, Bihar and Manipur are doing their bit in not only preserving indigenous art but also earn a livelihood and helping other women also in becoming financially independent.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Hasuben Mohanbhai Rabari from Gujarat learnt traditional embroidery from her mother. She learnt stitching from USHA Silai School. Now she is combining both the skills to create finished products and earn about Rs. 10,000 per month on an average.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Hasuben comes from the Rabari community which is still far from access to education and is continuously migrating. Thus, Hasuben also could not get an education.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Hasuben is working towards making this unique style called Rabari Embroidery stand out in the crowd.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Hasuben also teaches young girls of her village to do the same and make Rabari Embroidery that symbolises mythology, rituals, culture and also life of Rabaris, famous the across the world.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

After her family abandoned her, Kusum Devi of Hasanpur, Bihar started working with Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra (BMKK). BMKK with the help of the USHA Silai school, gave Kusum Devi a purpose.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Kusum Devi, who is a master of a master of an ancient form of embroidery called Sujani, now has her own Silai school.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Sujani is an ancient form of embroidery from Bihar. Quilts are made by stitching together colorful patches of old clothes and then Sujani embroidery was done with colorful threads to create motifs and designs.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

For smaller pieces, Kusum Devi is able earn approximately Rs. 4,000 and the bigger pieces created by her are sold for over Rs.5,000.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

The USHA Silai School program, with the help of local NGO called People's Development Society (PDS), has taken charge to revive the indigenous art and craft of the state by developing skills of women and girls and helping them connect with markets.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Chandam Sunita Devi, artisan and USHA Silai Hero from Manipur, started her own Silai School in 2016 with an aim to take forward the traditional designing and production techniques. She makes beddings and mosquito nets.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

During wedding season, she is able to earn over Rs. 60,000 per month by making beddings for the newly wed couples.

Here Is How USHA Silai Schools Are Preserving Indigenous Art And Craft

Chandam Sunita Devi has shown that one does not need a degree in designing to become a successful fashion entrepreneur.

Adopt a Silai School

Adopt a Silai School

Do you want to be a part of the huge change that Usha Silai School is bringing about in the lives of millions of rural women? With just a simple click of a button, you can now contribute towards the opening of an Usha Silai School or support various other aspects of the school.

About the Initiative

About the Initiative

Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by USHA Silai School and NDTV has entered its eighth season. The aim is to empower more women across rural India by teaching them sewing skills and helping them open new doors of opportunities for themselves. The initiative encourages rural women to become financially independent and entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities.

 

Since 2011, the USHA Silai School initiative has trained more than 12 lakh rural women through over 33,000 Silai schools, spanning over 20,751 villages across India.

 

The women earn Rs. 4,000 – 5,000 per month on an average, with the highest recorded monthly earning being Rs. 84,000 in a month. This earning works as a catalyst towards building their self-confidence, reducing gender inequities, and raising their stature within their families and in society at large.

 

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