Empowering Tribal Women through Rug making
Akashdeep Khalkho is a Textile Designer and Entrepreneur who manages the Pesrar Durrie Handlooms Self Help Group in Lohardaga, Jharkhand. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Textile design from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad. His journey was craft based and has worked with various weaving clusters. He likes to explore the socio-economic condition of any place and how craft has been sustained.
The realisation to work for the indigenous communities from the beginning had shaped his journey as a Textile Designer. His internships include handloom weavers of Irba and Torankiyal, Nawa Bihan in Ranchi, Moonj craftsmen of Hardoi. His graduation project was with HDFC’s initiative called ‘Parivartan’ in Kajiapur clusters in Uttar Pradesh. Working with the same cluster he had designed rug, wall hanging and cushions for a home decor project with an organisation called Kadam. The weavers from these clusters are now working independently in their household looms catering to bulk orders from Khairabad, biggest market of rugs in India.
Over the years he had the experience of learning crafts like Chikankari, Moonj using Kaansi grass, Block Printing. Along with crafts, he observed the socio-economic conditions of the concerned area. Firm believer in bottom-up approach, Akashdeep has tried to solve people’s problems through his projects. He finds skill development to be a crucial part of the growth of society.
Pesrar Durrie Handlooms was conceived as an alternate source of employment for women in Lohardaga. An assessment of the village Pesrar in collaboration with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand brought to light the craft of palm leaf chatai (carpet) made by women which was very fine. Henceforth, they embarked on a journey of making durries under the Self Help Group of women. Akashdeep and his team’s efforts to train women in weaving included a number of activities like origami, colour wheel, paper weaving, wooden frame etc. Training of just eight to nine months had yielded products of export quality. The SHG employs three types of weaves namely plain weave, twill weave and matt weave. The materials are sourced from Khairabad. Dyes like direct dyes, crocian dyes and wat dyes are used. Rupak Indigenous is the brand, where all the products made from Peshrar cluster are being sold. Mostly, the designs are sold to European markets.
Being mindful of the challenges and creating opportunities at the same time had been the driving force for Akashdeep. The women of Pesrar have followed suit and are weaving their way to development sans migration. Despite challenges of transportation, connectivity, illiteracy, Naxalism, Pesrar Handloom Self Help Group is a torch bearer in creating opportunities for the women in Pesrar.