Patna, Bihar •
Jan 10, 2024
Bihar’s chhapa artisans: wafer-thin margins
Using a very thin sheet of aluminium foil, chhapa craftsmen print metal flowers and other designs onto clothes – a craft that dates back centuries. Despite the high level of skill the art calls for, this is a seasonal livelihood tied to the wedding months, and many artisans work as daily wage labourers the rest of the year
Author
Photographs
Editors
Author
Umesh Kumar Ray
Umesh Kumar Ray is the first recepient of the Takshila-PARI Senior Fellowship (2025). A freelance journalist, he is based in Bihar and covers marginalised communities. Umesh was a PARI Fellow in 2022.
Editors
Priti David
Editors
Sarbajaya Bhattacharya
Sarbajaya Bhattacharya is a Senior Editor at PARI. She also works closely with interns and student volunteers as a part of PARI Education. Sarbajaya is an experienced Bangla translator. Based in Kolkata, she is interested in the history of the city and travel literature.
Photographs
Shreya Katyayini
Photographs
Umesh Kumar Ray
Umesh Kumar Ray is the first recepient of the Takshila-PARI Senior Fellowship (2025). A freelance journalist, he is based in Bihar and covers marginalised communities. Umesh was a PARI Fellow in 2022.
