Weaving a Global Partnership
She might be an American by birth, but Shalini Devi Holkar is attached to rural India.
In the news once again for Almond Eyes, Lotus Feet
, which she co-authored with Sharda Dwivedi, she is not one to rest on her laurels. Already working on another book and taking forward her organisation Women Weave, Shalini Devi Holkar or Sally as she is better known, has her plate full.
Sharda and I worked for many years collaborating on a food column and in the process, we uncovered lifestyle-related material,
comments Sally on how the current book was conceptualised. Since everyone is interested in being healthy and well, we decided to document it.
Having been in and out of journalism for more than a decade, writing this book was fulfiling for Holkar. We need to record Indian oral history, otherwise the next generation will be clueless,
she says.
Mostly known for her work with weavers, Sally is eager to talk about her three-year-old organisation. I am no longer with Rehwa society,
she clarifies about her link with the society patronised by her and former husband Richard Holkar. There are changes in life that are difficult, but you move on.
Her association with the weaving industry came by default and not by plan. Her current mission is to focus on women in handloom weaving. What we wear is how we feel,
she says, it is important to recognise weaving as an important profession in rural India.
Three trustees and 11 committee members have come together to take forward the dream of Women Weave. We deal with weavers in Kota, Chanderi, Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal. We are now looking at Yewla in Maharashtra,
informs Sally. Bringing together weavers is no easy task. They are sceptical due to repeated aborted plans.
Teaching weavers to deal directly with buyers she claims helps in controlling quality and prices. Our sarees range from Rs 800 to Rs 3,500 at an average,
she says in response to queries of handloom sarees being expensive.
Dreaming of a global partnership with weavers across the world, Sally believes that the opening up of the Indian economy will aid this. While she is busy sourcing funds for her projects, Sally is also planning another book with Dwivedi. Penguin has already approached us for a book called 'Zenana'.
A collection of stories about women living and raising their children in a harem-like situation, Sally is already eager to begin writing. As to why she chose Mumbai as her base, she says without hesitation, Mumbai is my home. It is where my children were born.