Pratibha Kalita has leveraged the technical, design and business training provided by the Antaran initiative to set up her own weaving venture in Assam.
For Pratibha Kalita, a 45-year old artisan from Rampur, Kamrup, weaving has always been an integral part of her life but has never been a vocation or a source of income. However, her life took a turn when she joined the Antaran initiative of Tata Trusts in 2019.
While previously she wove and spun traditional garments such as gamosas and mekhala chadors, primarily for local use, the Antaran programme opened new doors for Pratibha. She not only received hands-on training but also refined her craft, learnt new skills and designs and expanded her product portfolio. She could now design sarees, stoles, dupattas and even home decor items, delivering equisite craft that delighted her consumers. The training also introduced her to the importance of adapting her designs to customer preferences, such as crafting lighter cotton garments for summer or using eri silk for winter collections, all of which quickly gained popularity among consumers. Moreover, her use of bright colours and innovative patterns, like her popular palm leaf-inspired stoles, helped her stand out at exhibitions nationwide.
Beyond technical skills, the programme equipped her with essential business knowledge. Pratibha now runs her own business, Chandrodoy Weaves, where she employs eight other women from her village.
Her unwavering dedication and perseverance enabled her to secure a steady income of over ₹200,000 annually and also create income opportunities for others in her community.
As her financial situation improved, Pratibha opened bank accounts for her daughters and planned ahead to secure for her family’s future. She also bought household items without the fear of financial strain. This shift in mindset—from simply making ends meet to planning for the future—has been transformative for her.
The Antaran initiative gave Pratibha the opportunity to build a sustainable livelihood. Her weaving, once a tradition passed down through generations, has evolved into a thriving business that brings her pride and stability.
This story has been taken from the Tata Trusts' Annual Report 2023-24.
