Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the life blood of small towns.With limited job opportunities, family businesses are the best way to build a better life .
Small or big all biz needs balancing reality and dreams.The financial struggles small business people face,are very real.
The only way survival is possible, is with creative thinking and CSR.
Big and small businesses can come together in symbiotic partnerships to encourage and nurture native Indian art forms,textiles,weaves and handicrafts .
This is an inspiring story of one such beautiful partnership.
8-years ago, Tahir Mujabar, a hand-loom weaver in the historical town of Chanderi was struggling to meet ends for his family.Chanderi in Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh, is popular for its art of Handloom weaving.
The tedious time-consuming nature of the work made supporting a family of six difficult.
I was under debt from local money lenders. With daughters growing up, I was concerned about their education and marriage. Buying more looms that my daughters can operate needed money. It was a difficult time for the family.”
Sarees woven by Tahir were nothing special.They thus sold for a very low price and negligible profit.
He did not have knowledge of new designs .Neither did he know any qualified designers.In the small town of Chanderi, there was no one who could guide him. His life was spiralling out if control !
Weaving is slow in handlooms, one hand-woven Chanderi Saree took 5 to 25 days to weave.With the low price and time-consuming process Tahir’s family was doomed to a life of poverty .
Then God intervened .
One day Tahir came across a new pattern in a magazine .This he tweaked to adapt to the Chanderi style.
The new pattern he designed had a wide zig zag woven border and a zig zag zari pallu. This made the sari look elegant and stylish .
He sold this saree to a local wholesaler.The wholesaler recognising the potential, showed it to their luxury showroom clients in metros.
The design became popular and orders for it in various colours came flooding in.Recognizing an opportunity Tahir set up more looms and the entire family started helping out.This way they could make multiple sarees every week and not muss out on orders .
“I have got two of my daughters married without having to take any loan for their wedding. It was their own money. I am proud of my daughters and my wife. My son does not want to migrate to the city to do labor work. He wants to stay here and help me with this business.”
Since Mrs Afroza weaved this pattern more perfectly than Tahir, he named this saree after his wife.
Artsy India, a famous MP based online portal promoting this local art, listed this saree.The “Afroza Chanderi Saree” became very popular many celebrities like Vidya Balan and Kareena Kapoor endorsed it.
“We have seen many Kanchipuram Sarees being endorsed by celebrities, but hardly any patterns in Chanderi. I think we need more such endorsements.”,
says Saurabh Jain, Founder at Artsy India.Honouring the artist they have printed the picture of Mrs Afroza weaving this pattern on their packaging boxes.
In the last 8 years, Tahir’s looms have produced over 1000 pieces of this saree .Different colors ranging from Black, Maroon, Off-White, Green, Grey, Royal Blue and more.All are sold as soon as the weaving is completed.
The trademark famous Afroza saree with the zigzag border and heavy zari pallu sells for anywhere between Rs. 6000 to Rs. 12500.
Tahir does not have any plans to switch to any other pattern right now.The “Afroza Pattern” is in huge demand.It is a lucky charm for the family.
Talking to Tahir and his son gave us insight into ground zero of entrepreneurship. Financial constraints an entrepreneur has goes through.The dedication, innovation,hard work,supportive family is important. But most importantly the ability tp identifying right opportunity at the right time and grasp it !
In a World filled with negative stories WATWB is an opportunity to spread stories of positivity optimism and hope.
Tahir and his family has shown us what hard work dedication and innovation can do. .
Watch Tahir weaving a sari in the video below .
Wow! That’s an inspiring story. Goes on to prove that an idea can change your life. I liked that he recognized his wife’s craftsmanship and named it after her. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Amrita!
Lovely story, Amrita. It is helping the next generation too. I even learnt an acronym new to me – CSR. Thanks for sharing. Sorry I missed it earlier as I was looking for June 28 Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
Hi Amrita,
Somehow I seemed to have missed this post…
It takes 5 to 25 days to weave with the hand loom? That’s a labour of love.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story which shows that hard work and determination pay off!
Writer In Transit June#WATWB Co-Host
Great story Amrita thank you! Determination, entrepreneurship, a little luck and hard work really can make one’s dreams come true.
Passion and perseverance at it’s best, such an inspirational story! Thanks so much for sharing this! #WATWB
Very inspiring story, Amrita. Thank you for sharing this post. Actually some schools have entrepreneurship projects these days. My son was part of one such project last year where they had to do everything from scratch right from conceptualisation down to actual selling. The proceeds from the sale were then given to charity. The kids learnt a lot from that, so I’m definitely of the view that this should be a part of the school curriculum.
Thats wonderful to know Esha .The school is obviously doing the right thing.
It always fills me up with tears & hope when u read about real stories like this!
I loved the line – God inteveined!
Thanks for sharing!
Chanderi is one of my favourite sari weaves. I also featured a sari revivalist in an earlier # WATWB post
This is so inspirational. Hard work definitely pays off , we just need to keep trying and be focussed.
Thanks for sharing this Amrita.
Xo
Shreya
Great read. My husband and I are both small business owners so I found this extremely valuable.
This is so informative !! I never heard or seen that its so much hardwork to prepare one peace !! thanks for the Highlight
Wow this is an inspiring story. And proves how one idea can change life. Thank you for sharing this story.
It is an inspirational story and teaches us many things. It is good his talent was recognised. Thanks for sharing with us.
Such an inspiring post. It is difficult to be an entrepreneur. It needs determination and hard work and a lot of support as well.
Lovely story of how creativity and determination make entrepreneur’s
Such a beautiful inspiring post. I always salute these weavers for their hard work and creation. But never thought on the aspects you listed here. Surely going to promote and buy one of this piece.
What an inspiring story. Chanderi work is so beautiful and to be able to make something new out it is amazing.
I am always impressed about the artistic talents of people who use looms and make marvelous pieces of clothing. I only ever attempted doing things with a loom once. And I am not that talented.
Thank you.
Very inspiring blog post! Being a female entrepreneur is very important to me which is why I own a blog, online boutique and model.
Thank you ????
Being an entrepreneur is a tough task for anyone! There is always challenges around the corner waiting. I think that this is a strong story of determination and it is very inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers
Yes you are right David .
That is so great! It’s very inspiring to read such a story on determination and success. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful story Amrita! Thanks for sharing such and inspiring story of a self respecting and hard-working family.