A weaver with his creation. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Fading cultural traditions, memories of his wife, daily prayers and the pace of life. These are just some of the ideas brought to life on the loom by Jaipur Rugs’ Freedom Mancha project. Launched in 2018, the sustainable development initiative houses Jaipur Central Jail, Jaipur Open Jail, Alwar Central Jail and long-term inmates of jails in Bikaner, Dausa, Amer and Bharatpur. “Each rug represents the potential of one’s imagination,” says Yogesh Chowdhary, director of Jaipur Rugs. Contributions are made to their families”.
Yogesh says that so far 200 rugs have been prepared under Freedom Mancha and through Jaipur Rugs Foundation (JRF). As a part of the project, several training workshops are conducted for the skill development of the inmates. “While learning to weave, the inmates are encouraged to showcase their creativity, and the foundation also helps them open bank accounts to receive direct payments for their work.” Take for example, friendship (meaning, friendship) Designed by BP Singh, Kaabil and Jamal Badshah. BP Singh, who loves to play cricket, was reminiscing his childhood days in Uttar Pradesh, weaving rugs that have motifs of balls, kites, dots, lines and hearts. “The rug symbolizes their friendship in prison, and incorporates vibrant colors that are a reflection of their personalities,” he adds.
friendship Designed by Kaadi BP Singh, Kaabil and Jamal Badshah. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He said that each rug is made of 2,22,184 individual knots each square meter, which makes use of the leftover yarn from hand-spun in carpet production, which cannot be used otherwise. Depending on the raw material, size, and quality of the rug, it took anywhere from three to 10 months for a prisoner to weave a carpet.
Looms in open prisons (places where inmates are trusted to serve sentences with minimal supervision and perimeter security) are set up by the Foundation, and a branch manager oversees all prison projects. “Each jail is given a trainer by the JRF who conducts workshops and training programmes. The prisoners are trained for between three and six months, and are taught how to trace dyes and different materials such as wool, and bamboo silk,” says Yogesh. At a later stage, they are taught weaving and are taught how to create their own color rhythms in the carpets.
Weaver with his creation. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In Way (meaning, way), by Mudassir and Majid, weavers depict the lost paths from their villages in vibrant shades of purple and blue. This portrays their desire to go to their homes far away. Majid wants to meet his four children, whom he hasn’t seen in five years, while Mudassir wants to return to his family. The rugs depict the unfinished things of their lives in the form of half-woven villages, manners and ShakarparasA sweet snack,” concluded Yogesh.
Above this 50,000 at jaipurrugs.com