Smriti Rekha Chakma
Smriti Rekha Chakma | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 September 1964 Tripura, India |
| Occupation(s) | Artisan and loin-loom weaver |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2024) |
Smriti Rekha Chakma is an Indian artisan and loin-loom weaver from the Chakma community in Tripura known for her work with eco-friendly, vegetable-dyed cotton threads in traditional designs.[1] She is the founder of Ujeia Jadha, an organization that trains rural and tribal women in weaving techniques.[2][3]
In 2024, she was conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for her contribution to eco-friendly loin loom artistry.[4]
Early life and career
[edit]Born in 1964, Chakma grew up in the Chakma community. From a young age, she watched her grandmother weave on a loin loom, an old traditional tool, which sparked her interest in weaving.[5] Chakma uses natural dyes in her work, made from locally gathered roots, seeds, herbs, and leaves. To make the dyes, she dries, crushes, and extracts colors from these natural items.[6]
In addition to her weaving, Chakma founded Ujeia Jadha to preserve traditional weaving and teach skills to rural and tribal women.[6]
Awards
[edit]- 2000: received the Master Weaver Award from the president of India.[6]
- 2018: Awarded the Sutrakar Samman at the "Sarees of India" exhibition organized by the Delhi Crafts Council.[6]
- 2024: Awarded the Padma Shri for her work with eco-friendly loinloom artistry.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Chakraborty, Vaskar (2024-01-28). "ত্রিপুরার ঝুলিতে ২ পদ্মশ্রী, জানুন রেখা চাকমা ও চিত্ত মহারাজের বিষয়ে". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali).
- ^ "Traditional loin-loom weaver Smriti Rekha Chakma, spiritual guru Chitta Maharaj win Padma award from Tripura". The Indian Express. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "Tripura weaver Smriti Rekha Chakma receives Padma Shri for eco-friendly Loinloom Artistry". India Today NE (in Hindi). 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Hon'ble Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu Felicitated Padma Shri Awardee Chitta Ranjan Debbarma And Smriti Rekha Chakma. - TRIPURA STAR NEWS". Tripura Star News. 17 May 2024.
- ^ "SMRITI REKHA CHAKMA - Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri.
- ^ a b c d "Continuing the Thread". The Indian Express. 2018-10-16.
- ^ "7 from northeast receive Padma Awards 2024". India Today NE (in Hindi). 2024-01-25.