Nazma Saiyad, 35, a home maker and mother of two, is busy keeping with her new craft of crochet art work at Sarkhej Roza – a monumental ode to communal harmony. Saiyad who barely knows how to read and write wants to upgrade her craft skills to supplement her family’s income.
“I always fancied learning crochet but never thought I would really get a chance,” said Nazma. Nazma eked out her living on odd stitching assignments she bagged from around the neighbourhood. However, after learning this craft she has get the chance to work on various crochet assignments outsourced by known designers. “I am thrilled to learn this new art which, if I can master it, can fetch me good money as well,” she said.
Similarly, Jabeen Ajmeri, 30, home maker, said, “Being able to developing skills of crochet craftsmanship is like my dream come true. Learning this art is fascinating and moreover this skill will help me earn a bit more,” she said.
The crochet training session was conducted by Sheila Clein, an American designer who was in the city to take sessions at the National Institute of Design and put up a week-long exhibition of her works at L P Hutheesing Visual Arts Centre. She trained about 10 Muslim women at Sarkhej Roza in a session organised by Ahmedabad Community Foundation (ACF).
During the training session, the group of women created a wall decor of crochet which is to be put up for permanent display at Sarkhej Roza to commemorate the partnership the women and the international designer.
Bhavna Ramrakhyani, founder of ACF, said, “This was one of the series of women’s skill upgradation programs we have been doing since the last decade at Sarkhej Roza. The focus is to enable a free inter-flow and exchange of ideas and knowledge among various sectors of society. And link the community to promote the heritage structure Sarkhej Roza – a heritage structure which is not only significant for its architecture but is also as a symbol of community harmony.”
Sheila Clein, the American designer, said, “Common interest in crochet bonded all us together to work as a team. It was an honour to get involved in this community upliftment program.”
