Smriti Rekha Chakma
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. She is the founder of Ujeia Jadha, an organization that trains rural and tribal women in weaving techniques.
In 2024, she was conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for her contribution to eco-friendly loin loom artistry.
Early life and career
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. 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.In addition to her weaving, Chakma founded Ujeia Jadha to preserve traditional weaving and teach skills to rural and tribal women.