ZardoZi-- Stitching a new tale


 

In a world that loves labelling and slotting people into categories, the freedom to choose and to speak our minds is not easy. In the graphic novel, ZardoZi- Stitched with Love, 10- year-old Zi thinks he has lost his voice and his parents and friends will never be able to hear his truth.

But someone recognises Zi’s innate talent and patience to learn and practise the art of embroidery. It’s Zi’s grandmother -- Rani the Naani – who is unlike the other elders in Zi’s family. Rani the Naani believes in living in the moment and knows that ‘nothing is too girlish or boyish’. Arts is for everyone!

She hands over her book of embroidery designs to Zi and the boy feels encouraged to present a zari-work for his school’s annual day. He begins with liquid zari work and boy! He transform a sober black coat into something stunning!

In this gently embroidered tale of Zi coming into his own, the author and illustrator Debasmita Dasgupta, addresses the oft quoted, but poorly understood, terms of diversity and inclusivity. Who decides that boys can’t wear floral print? Or embroidery is for girls to practise?

With each illustration and complimentary text, Dasgupta transforms Zi’s lonely world into a bright space where his parents finally acknowledge his interests and support him. All in all, ZardoZi-Stitched with Love salutes the skills of artisans in keeping alive our collective cultural heritage.

 

Excerpt:

Uh…I don’t like skateboarding.

I know that. But it’s alright. You’ll start liking it with time.

No! Because I don’t want to. I want to do embroidery work. I LOVE doing it.


Name: ZardoZi – Stitched with Love

Text & Pictures: Debasmita Dasgupta

Edited by: Rajat Mittal

Published by: HarperCollins Children’s Books

Pages: 62

Price: Rs 399

 (This review was first written for Amritabharati)


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