empower artisans

#Perspective / Saving an ancient craft in the age of plastic decor – Are we ready to go green with shola?

Shola, a delicate, eco-friendly material crafted from the Aeschynomene aspera plant, is vital to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. Artisans face challenges from shrinking wetlands and limited local demand, yet newer generations strive to preserve this traditional art.

#Perspective / Drums, beats, and dhakis: A fading tradition

“Dhak, dhol, jhajor baaje,” we recite as children and there is no denying that the beats of the drums that we call ‘dhak’ has something robustly unique about it. Dhak is a familiar musical instrument that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Aside from their uniquely loud palpitating beats, there are stories behind the sound.

#Crafts / Turning leaves into livelihoods: The story of Mohammad Abdul and his haat pakhas

Hailing from Kushtia, Mohammad Abdul has been making and selling haat pakhas for more than two decades now. Like Abdul, many people used to earn their livelihoods by making such pakhas – a tradition declining with time.

November 3, 2024
November 3, 2024

Saving an ancient craft in the age of plastic decor – Are we ready to go green with shola?

Shola, a delicate, eco-friendly material crafted from the Aeschynomene aspera plant, is vital to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. Artisans face challenges from shrinking wetlands and limited local demand, yet newer generations strive to preserve this traditional art.

October 6, 2024
October 6, 2024

Drums, beats, and dhakis: A fading tradition

“Dhak, dhol, jhajor baaje,” we recite as children and there is no denying that the beats of the drums that we call ‘dhak’ has something robustly unique about it. Dhak is a familiar musical instrument that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Aside from their uniquely loud palpitating beats, there are stories behind the sound.

June 30, 2024
June 30, 2024

Turning leaves into livelihoods: The story of Mohammad Abdul and his haat pakhas

Hailing from Kushtia, Mohammad Abdul has been making and selling haat pakhas for more than two decades now. Like Abdul, many people used to earn their livelihoods by making such pakhas – a tradition declining with time.