All of us carry fond excerpts from our childhood in our golden pot of memories. For some, it is reminiscing the carefree days, whereas some think back to those rustic kitchen adventures, while for others, it is a recollection of time spent creating amazing craft paraphernalia.

Farjana Elahi Kumu, a creative craftsperson, is someone who excels at the task of crafting amazing artwork, a hobby she developed while growing up. Speaking of her childhood, she fondly recalls the hours she had spent seeing her mum design fine thread work on fabric. "I was utterly fascinated with the beauty of this work. It was only a matter of time before I myself developed an unfaltering passion towards it," recalled Farjana.

Her journey with everything artful started during childhood, watching in awe as her mother turned mundane pieces of fabric into something artsy. Since then, she conjoined herself to the world of art and craft. Her adolescent years passed by participating in various art competitions, learning craftwork, and creating modish accoutrements from scratch.

She does not shy away from admitting that this has always been her priority over books and lectures. With the support of her parents, especially her father, she was able to polish her capabilities and fuel her passion. From creating handmade jewellery to jewellery boxes for storage, her adroitness encompasses several forms of artistry.     

Moving forward in her journey, she was granted the opportunity to work in Dressy Dale. For her, it was not only a workplace, but a learning institute that can be best defined as a creative factory. "Albeit, I could not perceive formal education on my desired subject, Dressy Dale was my learning institute. Through constant mentorship and guidance, I was exposed to a myriad of craftwork that enabled me to hone my skills," said Farjana.  

Among the various forms of handicraft, she is skilled in creating abstract paintings using trimmings and cuttings, devising stunning jewellery boxes, crafting beautiful floral jewellery, and designing dresses, she specifically shines in making handmade jewellery. Using simple knick-knacks such as beads, glass pieces, sequins, and fabric, she creates jewellery that is stunning and exquisite.

Although the components devising the final product are simple, the thought process behind envisioning it is not. According to her, planning a piece of jewellery and coming up with an original and unique idea require more time and effort than giving it form and shape. The entire process depicts true labour of love.

Her love for tradition, heritage, and culture of the country reflects in her designs. They mostly feature bright colours such as emerald green, dark violet, crimson red, and sunset orange, combined together with eccentric beads and eye-catching thread work. The addition of a sparkling bead here or a glass there embellishes the ornament entirely.

These thoughtfully crafted ornaments are best suited with our very own deshi saris. Be it Rajshahi silk, elegant Benarashi, pure Muslin, or Jamdani, these exclusive ornaments perfectly complement deshi garments glamorising their splendour.

"Attire and jewellery go hand-in-hand and pairing them wisely is crucial," noted Farjana.    

Many of us lose touch from the hobbies and practices we developed during the phases of our childhood and adolescence. However, no matter which profession we later pursue in life, making some time to practice our own specialties amidst a busy schedule surely adds zeal to our hectic lives. 

Photo Courtesy: Farjana Elahi Kumu