87-Year-Old Revives Bengal's Ancient Needlecraft

Over 37 years, Shamlu Dudeja has elevated Bengal's traditional Kantha needlecraft onto the world stage. What began with three silk saris has blossomed into a significant movement, empowering over 1,200 women artisans across West Bengal.

The SHE Kantha initiative, documented by Harvard Business School, focuses on providing income, agency, and skill development to women in remote villages. Dudeja's efforts, often funded by her own savings, introduced Kantha to international audiences in France, Japan, the US, and the UK.

Now, the next generation, including her daughters and granddaughters, is driving innovation. They are exploring new design directions, combining Kantha with other techniques like aari and beadwork for contemporary fashion. SHE Art is also promoting Kantha as wall art.

This evolution ensures the craft's relevance, with younger audiences showing keen interest in modern silhouettes and Kantha jackets. The organization maintains high-quality craftsmanship and fair wages, with artisans directly benefiting from their work and contributing to their families' education.