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Rehwa

Sunanda is Rehwa Society's Design Director; she explains the organization's efforts for the betterment of society and for preserving India's rich textile legacy.

"Rehwa Society is an NGO established in 1978 to provide employment to handloom weavers of Maheshwar, a small town in the state of Indore with an ancient tradition of fine woven textiles. This tradition owes its resurgence to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled Maheshwar, from 1765 to 1795 and under whose patronage the weavers prospered. The textile industry flourished however, in post-Independence India, quality, design and market suffered. Weavers and their families were impoverished and people began to migrate to slum areas.

"200 years after Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar's rule, Rehwa was started by Shivaji Rao Holkar (one of his descendants), along with his former wife Shalini Devi Holkar. They started with eight women weavers, who were earning on their own for the first time. Men were generally irresponsible in their commitments to financing the home and their families suffered. Alongside promoting the textile art of Maheshwar, Rehwa started a pre-school, housing and a health scheme.

"All of Rehwa's contributions come from the sale of our textiles in cities throughout India.

"Through hard work and good fortune, Rehwa has been successful. The Maheshwari sari used to be renowned and largely sought by Maharashtrians; now it is popular all over India.

"Today we assist over 100 weavers, and there are more than 1000 weavers in town. 250 children attend our school, and Rehwa's health scheme has over 500 beneficiaries.

"Our product range has widened to include dupattas (scarves or stoles), and fabric for salwar (pants) and kurtas (tunics). We also weave fine shawls in silk and wool.

"While Rehwa has been completely dedicated to preserving Maheshwar's legendary textile traditions, our constant effort is also to keep alive our health and education programs, which is only possible only through the sale of our products. That is why we are counting on Novica to help us fulfill our dreams."