
For centuries, handloom weaving has been deeply woven into Bengal’s cultural fabric, and the town of Santipur in Nadia district is particularly celebrated for its exquisite textiles. Among its many artisans, Sheuli Khatun stands out as a passionate weaver preserving and evolving this rich tradition. Sheuli began her journey into handloom weaving at the age of 18, learning the craft from her mother. Over time, she has refined her technique and developed a distinctive style that marries age-old designs with contemporary aesthetics.
Sheuli specialises in a variety of hand-woven sarees. Her creations include delicate Jamdani sarees, featuring fine floral and geometric patterns on soft cotton; practical yet elegant lightweight cotton sarees ideal for everyday wear; and intricately woven Tangail sarees, recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag under the title “Tangail saree of Bengal.” All her pieces are handwoven on traditional looms using eco-friendly dyes, contributing to both environmental sustainability and the authenticity of her work.
Her products are mainly sold through local markets, craft exhibitions, and government-organised fairs, which allow her to connect with wider audiences. With increased exposure, Sheuli hopes to expand her customer base and strengthen her livelihood while continuing to support her family. A dedicated artisan and homemaker, Sheuli balances her daily weaving schedule with domestic responsibilities. Her family lends vital support, particularly with yarn preparation and dyeing processes.
Recently, the Digikargha team visited Sheuli’s weaving unit to gain deeper insight into her work. The team offered guidance on product photography and pop-up display ideas, helping her present her creations more effectively to potential online buyers. Additionally, Digikargha collected samples of her sarees to feature in exhibitions and introduce them to new markets.
Looking ahead, Digikargha aims to provide Sheuli with further training in catalogue-making, online marketplaces, and digital platforms, equipping her with the tools to elevate her craft and ensure her art continues to flourish in the digital age.