Weaving Dhurrie

I have been in the market for a Dhurrie rug for quite some time and since I know that its predominantly made in northern India I decided to source mine direct from an artist/weaver...
So, during my India trip I asked my dad to use his connections and set up a meeting with dhurrie weavers so I can make a purchase and photograph them in action.

One hot summer evening while the air was so heavy and stagnant that I questioned its ability to carry sound waves, we stepped into the narrow lanes of the old city. The streets were so narrow that a small car wouldn't fit through even on a one way street and so we parked the car, abandoned the comfort of air conditioner and set out on foot. We were guided by my Dad's car mechanic, he lives in the weavers community and a lot of his extended family is still in the business of weaving canvas and rugs.

Do I have a business plan?

I get that question a lot and my answer? Well, no. Not really!

Long time ago when I posed my idea about bringing artisans closer to their patrons and helping them find a sustainable livelihood, many of my friends loved the idea, encouraged me and then asked me to put together a business plan so they can fund it and my ‘business’ can take off…

As much as I loved the idea it was difficult for me to communicate it to my friends that it is not a business in the traditional sense and yet it’s not charity either.

Side story: I think charity is not sustainable and unless someone has a skin in the game and there is sweat involved, it’s very hard for people to value it.