Folklore & Comic Books: Stitching Stories through Nakshi Kantha; 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM

Description:

Ride the waves of Matarbari, a small island of Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, in this storytelling workshop. Design your own comic book through the eyes of an adventurous fisherman, a fierce Nakshi Kantha weaver, an award-winning birdwatcher, and a local plant scientist, all stuck on the island due to cyclone Rema. Join us and weave the stories to life as you become one of these characters!

Facilitated by: Mahenaz Chowdhury from Broqué

Master Weaver: Kusum Begum
Illustration: Reesham Shabab Tirtho

Facilitator’s Profile:
Tirtho is a visual artist and graphic designer based in Dhaka. His works reflect the dilemmas, despair, and values of contemporary society.

Kusum Begum is a master weaver in Nakshi Kantha from Tangail. She started her work in Nakshi Kantha to support her family and now she works with 200 women across town empowering them to build on their artistry. She has worked in projects such as Matarbari Tales with ULAB and Broqué, to share her knowledge on designs, translating artworks through stencils on textiles and stitching techniques.  

Mahenaz Chowdhury is an artist, cultural activist, and passionate advocate for preserving and revitalising South Asian textiles, focusing on traditional crafts such as Nakshi Kantha and Jamdani weaving, both of which embody rich histories and sustainable practices. She is also the founder of Broqué, a conscious streetwear label that creates abstract, ethically made one-off-pieces. Her work emphasises storytelling as a medium to connect communities, amplify marginalised voices, and challenge colonial narratives that have shaped perceptions of our cultural heritage. Through her practice, she integrates traditional craft techniques with innovative, zero-waste design approaches, fostering ecological and social resilience. As the founder of Broqué, she has pioneered storytelling-based upcycling workshops that engage youth and community members to rediscover and embody South Asian cultural roots. 

Details:

Date: 1st February 2025

Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM 

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Age Group: 15+

Participant Capacity: 35

Workshop Outline:

- Learn about the workshop’s theme and characters.

- Create your own character and plot through story writing.

- Design and layout your comic book.

- Unbox your Nakshi Kantha Kit and learn how to make new motifs.

- Fold your comic book and translate your story onto fabric using Nakshi Kantha stitching.

What’s Included in the Workshop:

- Nakshi Kantha Kit (DIY learning kit with fabric, threads, embroidery frames, needle kit, and DIY sewing kit to practice at home for beginners)

- Handmade Nakshi Kantha comic book created by the participants

- Tools for story writing by Tirtho