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Threading stories since 1969

Updated on: 10 December,2023 06:21 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Gautam S Mengle | gautam.mengle@mid-day.com

Shrujan Trust from Gujarat has been empowering Kutch’s women for 54 years now. Their pop up at Nariman Point will be the perfect place to stock up on kachchi embroidered apparel and terracotta pottery

Threading stories since 1969

Shrujan Trust takes embroidery woven by women from rural Gujarat all over the country, empowering generations in the process

From adversity, they say, art is born. The adage holds true for many art forms, be it the written or spoken word, or something more tangible, like paintings and sculptures. Shrujan’s upcoming pop-up at Nariman Point is one more testament to this saying. 


“It was the summer of 1969,” says Azad Shrivastava, Marketing Head at Shrujan. “Kutch was ravaged by drought for the fourth year in a row. Food and hope were hard to find. Philanthropist Chanda Shroff visited Dhaneti village in the region to help run a free kitchen. The villagers, however, were reluctant to accept charity. But in the exquisite hand embroidery displayed on their clothing, she saw a way to enable them to earn a sustainable and dignified livelihood.”


Shrujan’s upcoming pop-up at Nariman Point offers a range of apparel with traditional kachchi embroidery
Shrujan’s upcoming pop-up at Nariman Point offers a range of apparel with traditional kachchi embroidery


And so, Shrujan, which means creativity in Sanskrit, was born. The not-for-profit organization based in Kutch today works with over 2,000 craftswomen living in 60 remote villages of Kutch, practicing over 53 distinct embroidery styles. “These women look after their homes, fields and cattle. We do not disturb their daily routine. We make sure that fabrics and threads reach them right at their doorstep and pay them for their skills and time,” says Shrivastava. 

The embroidered textiles collected from these skilled artisans are then fashioned into high quality apparel, accessories and lifestyle products, and marketed through Shrujan’s stores and exhibitions. The 14th edition of Shrujan’s Mumbai pop-up will be held at the Kamalnayan Bajaj Hall in Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point, from December 13 to 16. 

“The income earned from embroidery has helped four generations of craftswomen secure a better future for themselves and their families. Today, we work not only with hand embroidery, but also hand weaving, hand block printing and wheel-thrown terracotta pottery,” shares Shrivastava. Expect a delightful range of sarees and kurtas, along with furniture and accessories to take home. 

WHAT: Shrujan Mumbai Pop-up 
WHERE: Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point 
WHEN: Dec 13-16

Utsav International Film festival

A still from Trazos de piel
A still from Trazos de piel

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WHEN: Thu, 14 Dec, 6 PM – Sun, 17 Dec, 10 PM
WHERE: Aram Nagar Part 2, Machlimar, Versova, Andheri West
PRICE: Rs 250 for four days
TO BOOK: insider.in

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