“Age is just a number,” stands as a lasting sentiment challenging the misconception that only the young can pursue dreams or achieve significant milestones. For those passionately dedicated to their ambitions, age has consistently proven to be of minimal concern.
Eighty nine-year- old Latika Chakrabarty is one such remarkable person who, in spite of her advanced age, is a determined woman with an online business where she sells her own handcrafted, adorned drawstring pouches, known as potlis.
Her grandson Joy, who was astounded by his grandmother’s extraordinary craftsmanship and thought that her potlis merited a wider audience and greater appreciation than merely being shared among friends and family, recently launched her website, Latika’s Bags.
The most incredible thing is that, just like every other product you see on various online ventures these days, every potli you see on the website has been meticulously designed and handcrafted by Latika alone!
Latika, who was born in the Assamese town of Dhubri at the turn of the century, loved to sew. As an officer-surveyor for the Survey of India, her late husband Krishna Lal Chakrabarty was frequently dispatched to various locations. Latika lived in several places throughout India as a result of her frequent travels, and she also amassed a collection of distinctive sarees and textiles from all over the nation.
When her three children were small, Latika sewed clothes for them, making good use of her sewing skills. They grew older together over time, and Latika began crafting dolls from discarded or outdated fabrics.
Like many of us, Latika was first introduced to the idea of repurposing by her grandparents—her reliable “USHA” sewing machine has been by her side for the past 64 years!
She began creating potlis out of worn-out kurtas and sarees a few years ago. That was just how creative she had always been, even when it came to sewing clothes for us as infants. Latika’s son Capt (retd.) Raj Chakrabarty says India that his mother would actually look at a piece of fabric and instantly form a design in her head, unlike most of us who would figure out a design only after we had all the essentials with us.
Latika’s potlis, which repurposed old sarees and fabrics, first appeared four years ago as elegant accents to ethnic attire for celebratory events. Since then, they have gained immense popularity among friends and family.
She began creating potlis out of worn-out kurtas and sarees a few years ago. That was just how creative she had always been, even when it came to sewing clothes for us as infants. Capt (retd.) Raj Chakrabarty, Latika’s son, tells The Better India that his mother would actually look at a piece of fabric and instantly form a design in her head, unlike most of us who would figure out a design only after we had all the essentials with us.
Latika’s potlis, which repurposed old sarees and fabrics, first appeared four years ago as elegant accents to ethnic attire for celebratory events. Since then, they have gained immense popularity among friends and family.
Raj continues, “Latika typically takes only 2-3 days to make one bag; the only thing that often delays the process is acquiring embellishments and other add-ons to the potlis.” It’s incredible that the 80-year-old, who has likely produced more than 300 bags by this point, is still involved in the business.
“While Joy recently launched the website as an online endeavour, it is important to reiterate that this is not a business with the intention of making money.
He added, “We hope that more people would be inspired and not let their age to take away what they can and are able to do. She loves what she does, so we had agreed to her grandson’s proposal.”
But nobody, least of all Latika, ever imagined that her bags would be up on the Internet and that she would have orders for her potlis coming in from places like Germany, New Zealand, and Oman.
With her incredible handiwork, we’re not even surprised that Latika’s Bags are quite the rage today, thanks to her grandson’s enthusiasm and family’s support!
Look up Latika’s Bags here; the lovely potlis cost between ₹500 and ₹1500. We want to reassure you that your patience will be well worth the wait. While you take your time and peruse the site, keep in mind that, in contrast to other online endeavours, it may take them some time to respond.
Discussion about this post