Magic threads

Atiqa is a collective of Afghan women who have found a semblance of home in Delhi after escaping the turmoil in their country. The women, however, found they needed to earn a living. Lawyers at the Ara Trust’s Migration and Asylum Project (MAP), India’s only refugee law centre, run by women, noted the dexterity with which Afghan women did embroidery. They helped them form Atiqa which means ‘antique’ in Persian. MAP also got them funding and linked them to Dastkar, a non-profit that works with traditional artisans,  so that the women would understand the style preferences of Indian consumers. 

The Atiqa collective does intricate and colourful Afghan embroidery on saris and scarves. They work on linen, khadi and matka silk. There are four types of embroidery they specialise in — Gulatlaz, Kasheda Dozi, Bati Dozi and, lastly,  Khammam, which is usually reserved for heirloom pieces like bridal wear. Atiqa debuted at Dastkar’s Basant Mela in early 2019 and their saris and scarves caught the attention of shoppers.  Saris cost between Rs 6,000 and Rs 12,000 while scarves are priced from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000.

Contact: Salma Gul: Phone-9654349171

Email: atiqa.handicraft@gmail.com