Sahaj Thread Bangles

Product: Sahaj Thread Bangles

Region of Production: Dahod, Gujurat

Producer Organization: Sahaj is an offshoot of the N.M. Sadguru Water and Development Foundation based in Dahod, Eastern Gujurat. They work with three thousand artisans in the villages and communities around Dahod. Sahaj provides CFC’s or Common Facility Centres where artisans are provided with lights, power and a comfortable place to work close to their homes. Sahaj was set up to counter the poverty, and the exploitation faced by marginalized peoples living in this area, particularly women. Their original vision statement is ‘to empower tribal women through art and craft based activities providing them opportunities and wider choices in life.’ Often associated with their vibrant, colourful bead and thread work that is used to craft jewelry and embellish home furnishings, artisans also work in wood block printing, papier mache, silver metal, wood, pottery and some natural fibres. In more recent times Sahaj has begun work with bamboo—this was primarily to provide an economic activity for men, who were in need of skills training and employment, as women primarily engage in embroidery and bead work. The bamboo range includes home furniture, notebooks and other household items. Sahaj now also runs hand block printing training and is producing a range of attractive accessories such as utility pouches, toiletry bags and folders. Along with their in house design team, Sahaj also partners with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ahmedabad. Sahaj is setting up what they have termed, Village Institutions in many of the regions in which they work; Sahaj will continue to provide capacity building for these groups, including financial management, literacy training, and assistance with savings accounts. Images below: Sahaj thread and bead garland, bangles and artisan at work. For more information visit: www.sahajindia.org

by sharmila wood