Weaving dreams

Tribal communities in West Bengal slowly embrace traditional weaving to ensure sustainable livelihood

- DEEPANWITA GITA NIYOGI

MANIK MURMU never wanted to leave his home in Tukya village. Yet, he spent his entire adult life working in cities far from his family in the village, located in West Bengal's Purulia district. "I have worked in automobile factories in Hyderabad and as a labourer in various cities in Maharashtra. But, that chapter is closed now," says a relieved Murmu, who last year decided to take up weaving.

Alongside 20 others from the village, Murmu is part of an initiative to generate rural livelihoods post the COVID-19 pandemic. Started by husband-wife duo Arup and Rubi Rakshit, the initiative attempts to revive the art of weaving among tribal communities.