Dared to Dream: Bindu Vinodhan
Brinda Gill interviews Bindu Vinodhan, Founder & Executive Director of Mauna Dhwani Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, launched handloom weaving training programs aimed at transforming the lives of women from tribal villages in Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
Brinda Gill: Please tell us about the Mauna Dhwani Foundation.
Bindu Vinodhan: "Mauna" means silence, and "Dhwani" means sound in Sanskrit. The name symbolises a transition from silence to speech. Mauna Dhwani Foundation is focused on reviving personal and community identities and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities. We work with women from the tribal and weaver communities in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, home to over 52 tribes. The women are trained in handloom weaving, natural dyeing, sewing, embroidery, leadership, digital literacy, and finance.
BG: How did you choose the area of work?
BV: In 2018, after 20 years in the corporate sector, I wanted to focus on gender equality, inclusion, and livelihood development in some of the country's most remote and underserved areas. Research led me to a village in Mayurbhanj district, once known for its vibrant weaving industry but where weaving had become a fading memory.
The Santhal women, once known for their unique phuta saris with a ribbed pattern created using their extra-weft technique, were now wearing poor power loom imitations. I saw weaving as an opportunity to revive their heritage, restore their pride, and provide a sustainable livelihood. By offering stipends during training, we ensured the women stayed engaged.
BG: How did you start?
BV: We began in a livestock shed with eight women, four repaired looms, and lots of goats! I researched traditional Santhali textiles by studying old photographs at institutions like the Weavers Service Centre, Handloom Gallery at Kala Bhoomi, and the Odisha State Tribal Museum in Bhubaneswar. I also referenced the book Saris of India by Martand Singh and notes from Rta Kapur Chisti. Some weavers had preserved saris passed down from their grandmothers. From there, we developed a long-term training plan. Although these women were first-time weavers, we quickly realised that weaving was in their DNA.
BG: Can you describe their traditional textile motifs?
BV: The tribal communities worship nature and Mother Earth, and their textile motifs reflect this connection. The designs feature elements like fish, turtles, rudraksha (dried fruit), the rising sun, mountains, peacocks, diamonds, flowers, and buds. Each motif and its colour carries meaning, symbolising aspects of their world. Red, for example, represents the earth, their mud homes, and their shrines, making it an auspicious colour.
BG: What products do you offer?
BV: Our products are exquisite, handmade, and free from synthetic chemicals. Each item tells a story. We produce corporate gifts, saris, stoles, shirts, yardage, diary covers, runners, table mats, small pouches, and bags (such as seafarer bags, laptop bags, backpacks, and travel bags). We have 650 weavers, allowing us to take on large orders. When creating products for corporate clients, we discuss their vision with the weavers, who suggest motifs. For example, for the seafarer bags, we used fish and diamond motifs, with “Mother Earth” written in the local script on the handles. These thoughtful details are always appreciated.
BG: What types of fibers are used?
BV: We work exclusively with natural fibers, including pure cotton (in various counts and types such as organic, mill-spun, and hand-spun), cotton-jute, cotton-eri silk, cotton-linen, pure linen, pure eri, and bamboo silk. We also use 28 natural dyes. We grow indigo and have a trial plot of 30 varieties of indigenous cotton. Our goal is to recreate the entire value chain as it existed centuries ago.
BG: Do you incorporate contemporary designs?
BV: Yes, our weaving is highly versatile. Recently, the women created diary covers and runners inspired by the "climate stripes" image developed by Professor Ed Hawkins, which illustrates the progressive heating of the earth.
BG: What are your future plans?
BV: We are working to establish the first gender-inclusive residential school of craft and handloom for tribal artisans. Additionally, we’re pursuing a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for the Mayurbhanj Santhal sari.
This year, I was honoured to be one of the 15 women leaders selected for the 23rd Global Ambassadors Program 2024, organised by Bank of America and Vital Voices in New York City. The experience has inspired me to elevate my voice and the voices of every woman at Mauna Dhwani. Together, we will 'dare to dream'—bigger than ever before."
Images Courtesy: Mauna Dhwani Foundation
Find out more:
Brinda Gill: Please tell us about the Mauna Dhwani Foundation.
Bindu Vinodhan: "Mauna" means silence, and "Dhwani" means sound in Sanskrit. The name symbolises a transition from silence to speech. Mauna Dhwani Foundation is focused on reviving personal and community identities and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities. We work with women from the tribal and weaver communities in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, home to over 52 tribes. The women are trained in handloom weaving, natural dyeing, sewing, embroidery, leadership, digital literacy, and finance.
BG: How did you choose the area of work?
BV: In 2018, after 20 years in the corporate sector, I wanted to focus on gender equality, inclusion, and livelihood development in some of the country's most remote and underserved areas. Research led me to a village in Mayurbhanj district, once known for its vibrant weaving industry but where weaving had become a fading memory.
The Santhal women, once known for their unique phuta saris with a ribbed pattern created using their extra-weft technique, were now wearing poor power loom imitations. I saw weaving as an opportunity to revive their heritage, restore their pride, and provide a sustainable livelihood. By offering stipends during training, we ensured the women stayed engaged.
BG: How did you start?
BV: We began in a livestock shed with eight women, four repaired looms, and lots of goats! I researched traditional Santhali textiles by studying old photographs at institutions like the Weavers Service Centre, Handloom Gallery at Kala Bhoomi, and the Odisha State Tribal Museum in Bhubaneswar. I also referenced the book Saris of India by Martand Singh and notes from Rta Kapur Chisti. Some weavers had preserved saris passed down from their grandmothers. From there, we developed a long-term training plan. Although these women were first-time weavers, we quickly realised that weaving was in their DNA.
BG: Can you describe their traditional textile motifs?
BV: The tribal communities worship nature and Mother Earth, and their textile motifs reflect this connection. The designs feature elements like fish, turtles, rudraksha (dried fruit), the rising sun, mountains, peacocks, diamonds, flowers, and buds. Each motif and its colour carries meaning, symbolising aspects of their world. Red, for example, represents the earth, their mud homes, and their shrines, making it an auspicious colour.
BG: What products do you offer?
BV: Our products are exquisite, handmade, and free from synthetic chemicals. Each item tells a story. We produce corporate gifts, saris, stoles, shirts, yardage, diary covers, runners, table mats, small pouches, and bags (such as seafarer bags, laptop bags, backpacks, and travel bags). We have 650 weavers, allowing us to take on large orders. When creating products for corporate clients, we discuss their vision with the weavers, who suggest motifs. For example, for the seafarer bags, we used fish and diamond motifs, with “Mother Earth” written in the local script on the handles. These thoughtful details are always appreciated.
BG: What types of fibers are used?
BV: We work exclusively with natural fibers, including pure cotton (in various counts and types such as organic, mill-spun, and hand-spun), cotton-jute, cotton-eri silk, cotton-linen, pure linen, pure eri, and bamboo silk. We also use 28 natural dyes. We grow indigo and have a trial plot of 30 varieties of indigenous cotton. Our goal is to recreate the entire value chain as it existed centuries ago.
BG: Do you incorporate contemporary designs?
BV: Yes, our weaving is highly versatile. Recently, the women created diary covers and runners inspired by the "climate stripes" image developed by Professor Ed Hawkins, which illustrates the progressive heating of the earth.
BG: What are your future plans?
BV: We are working to establish the first gender-inclusive residential school of craft and handloom for tribal artisans. Additionally, we’re pursuing a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for the Mayurbhanj Santhal sari.
This year, I was honoured to be one of the 15 women leaders selected for the 23rd Global Ambassadors Program 2024, organised by Bank of America and Vital Voices in New York City. The experience has inspired me to elevate my voice and the voices of every woman at Mauna Dhwani. Together, we will 'dare to dream'—bigger than ever before."
Images Courtesy: Mauna Dhwani Foundation
Find out more: