Donovas Heritage | Artisans

HANDS OF MYSTIFYING ART

Our artisans hail from the hinterlands of West Bengal. Artists, who those are extremely skilled in multiple types of stitches like Kantha, Applique, Chain, Dal along with making cushion and clothing handicrafts, besides different kinds of handmade bags, jute products, bamboo-made ornaments and home decor items.

At Donovas, our key objectives are to elevate the existing cultural gharanas of artistry, as well as help new gharanas and art forms to evolve. So, while we showcase the beauty and elegance of the existing gharanas in our collection like the popular Kantha stitch of Birbhum, we are continuously exploring the cultural creativity and uniqueness of various lesser known regions of Bengal.

To give shape to this dream, we are presently unearthing the mystifying talent of the women artists from Sundarbans. We were initially introduced to a group of fifteen women by a welfare association. We then created a platform where they received formal training from the exceptionally talented artists of Shantiniketan. Today, they have enhanced their skills to create unique masterpieces and are portraying the nature and culture of Sundarbans through the handicrafts, while enjoying the liberty at work.

At Donovas, we feel proud that yesterday’s homemakers are skilled artisans today and each one of these women is capable of taking responsibilities and providing financial support to their families.

FROM OUR ARTISANS

HENA GUPTA

I am Hena Gupta. I come from Bolpur, Shantiniketan. Shantiniketan is the home to an amazing variety of handicrafts, thus is a shopper’s paradise. I have knowledge of various styles of Kantha and Applique stitches. For the sake of unemployed housewives or girls, I want to provide them the knowledge of these stitches thoroughly, so that they can make their living on their own and be independent. Besides providing my designs to Donovas, I am associated with them as a chief trainer, to train the women artisans of Sundarbans. Sundarbans is also famous for the handicrafts made by the Bengali housewives. Therefore, it is my dream to compile the speciality of these two places. It will be beneficial for the customers as well to have access to a wider range of their chosen products.

HENA GUPTA

PRATIMA KHATUA MONDAL

I am Pratima Khatua Mondal. I am one of the residents of Bali in Sundarbans. In Sundarbans Nature Club, I am being training on various types of Kantha Stitches and handicrafts. An experienced professional lady comes here to train us thoroughly. She, herself has drawn different designs on various pieces of cloths for us. We followed the process of teaching that she taught us and picked it up quickly. We are really grateful to Donovas for providing us such an opportunity to make a living.

JAYA JANA

I am Jaya Jana. I am a resident of Bali in Sundarbans area. I am engaged with Nature Club for a long time, where I learn about various genres of stitching such as Kantha, Applique, Chain and Dal stitch. I also make cushion and clothing handcrafts and different kinds of handmade bags. I had little knowledge about these handicrafts, but I believed ‘learning has no age’ and that’s why I’m still learning a lot from the experts. Here, we are taught how to draw upon a tracing paper or on a piece of cloth, followed by the stitching process. We are thankful to Donovas for giving us the opportunity to extend a small hand of contribution to our family.

SHIBANI TALUKDAR

I am Shibani Talukdar from Bijay Nagar, Bali Dwip. I am learning and working under the supervision of an experienced ladyat Nature Club, who is training us on the process of drawing, tracing and stitching on various fabrics. We are introduced to various genres of stitching and I have acquired the techniques of perfecting Batua from Kantha stitch. In Sundarbans, many natural calamities and household responsibilities stop us to be an outgoing working woman. Thanks to Donovas, that despite being homemakers, we are becoming capable of taking some responsibilities for financial growth of our families.