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History of Bharuch's Sujni and its relevance in Indian heritage
Updated On: 23 July, 2023 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Mitali Parekh
The legacy of the sujni has whittled down to the looms of its last two weavers, who have found a comforting nest in a heritage building where Bharuch’s distinctive cubist woven quilt craft stays warm
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The Sujni Co-operative Society in Bharuch comprises the last two weavers—Rafeeqbhai and Muzakirbhai Sujniwalla—who know the craft. Pics/Vicky Joshi
The irony is that even in its heyday in the middle of the last century, the sujni quilt was barely used in Bharuch. It’s too light for winter and too heavy for summers in Gujarat. About 400 weavers toiled away on enormous looms with 600 taars that make up the warp and weft, two people at each loom.
Now, there are only two weavers on the looms at Sujni Co-operative Society that weave them in the nearly 100-year-old building run by the Seth Jeejeebhoy Dadabhoy Trust. Rafeeq Bhai is approaching his 70s, and Muzakir Bhai, his 60s. Both go by the last name Sujniwalla, and have no apprentices—not even offspring—who will carry forward this skill that was once synonymous with the town. “If you came to Bharuch, you had to go back with a sujni quilt,” says Malabar Hill resident Pilloo Ginwalla, who has been instrumental—along with other members of the Inner Wheel club—in starting the looms up again.
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