Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeet Gupta.
Jeet, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in crafts began with the love for colors and appreciation for hand made. I started practicing tie dyeing along with my freelance design work, back in 2016 in Mumbai, India. Slowly I gained confidence in the craft of dyeing and wanted to explore craft markets in India. I travelled to Goa and made some great connections with artisans, artists & designers from all over India & the planet.
Soon I was invited to Himachal Pradesh for a collaboration with one of the hand weaving communities in the region to co-create handwoven & tie dyed woolen shawls. It was a great experience. This was also the first time I witnessed the craft of hand weaving. This was also the first time I dyed local wool. I was totally fascinated and wanted to keep exploring the handicraft sector.
During COVID, I continued making products and found the amazing global community of visionary artists called the Vision Train. The Vision Train is a non-stop online 24/7 jam room on Zoom started by the amazing visionary artist Amanda Sage. The Vision Train was and is still a great support that started during COVID. I learnt so much from everyone and will forever be grateful for the amazing connections.
Post COVID, I got an opportunity to work with the tribal weaving communities of Meghalaya that comprised of women weavers. I believe this was an answer to my prayers and soon I started co-designing and co-creating with them. This is where I was introduced to fiber Eri Silk, also known as, peace silk or Ryndia in Khasi.
It’s been around 5 years and I’ve been as a Project Lead & Design Head – working on a government funded project through an NGO – which is about preservation of crafts, training on new and improved handlooms and executing market linked production that generates fair wages for the artisans of the region of Meghalaya – Northeastern India.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My whole craft journey so far as been quite a learning experience, which I would love to continue and sustain.
In our present project work, the process begins with mobilizing artisans village-wise and district-wise. In each village with 15-25 weavers, we build a training cum production center for hand weaving. Artisans are trained here and they later join the production team. The products made as presently being purchased by the Meghalaya government’s brand called The Meghalayan Age.
My journey in crafts is also interlinked with working with different people from different communities, culture and place or origin. We work with the tribal artisans of Meghalaya from 5 different tribes – Khasi, Garo, Rabha, Hajong & Koch. Each tribe has a different language and cultural background.
The weaving trainers working with us are from West Bengal, the NGO with whom I’m working is from Delhi and government officials who are from all over the country.
So has been a challenge to deal with all these different kinds of people, to communicate effectively and get the work done.
Other than communication I think the next big challenge is the span of the project that is spread all over Meghalaya in 4 districts the furthest ones being 9 hrs apart from each other.
The lastly, the challenge to make the overall business profitable and financially sustainable for all stake holders, esp. the artisans, when the government support is gone.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I feel my biggest strength is colors and patterns. I’m known for being a tie dyer.
I love working with colors and textures.
I love to collaborate and co-create with other artists, designers & artisans to make wearable art.
I’m also known for being a leader at community building, bringing everyone together and sensing the pulse of the situation to act accordingly. I often get inspired by the people around me and in turn start creating with them that inspires others. The process of creation is so contagious.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’m was quite a shy yet mischievous child growing up.
Back then I was more interested into playing sports – basketball, swimming, football, etc.
I also always had a thing for music. I loved dancing.
In my teens I picked up the guitar. I often practice playing as a creative expression.
Fashion design came along soon, when I was slashing and shredding clothes for myself and my friends, so that we look different that the crowd.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shlydyes.com/process
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shly_dyes/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumya-gupta-a970a533/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shlydyes2429
