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Ruby Ghuznavi (2019)

Ruby Ghuznavi headshot
Ruby Ghuznavi

Founder and Managing Director, Aranya Crafts Ltd (1991 to 2011)

Watch a video of Ruby Ghuznavi in conversation with Cathy Stevulak and TSA Board member Dr. Sharbreon Plummer here.

As a natural progression from the revival and development of natural dyes in Bangladesh, Ruby Ghuznavi set up Aranya Crafts to assess the commercial viability of natural dyes and promote the extensive use of such dyes both within the country and abroad. Within a relatively brief period, its cost effectiveness became an established fact and its popularity grew enormously. Aranya’s activities included a training component for national and international trainees, particularly craftspeople, as part of its outreach and advocacy to promote the use of natural dyes.

The organization has standardized 30 colorfast dyes which, singly or in combination, provides an extensive range of colors. It has trained hundreds of craftspeople across Bangladesh as well as organizing and conducting numerous international training workshops in natural dyeing techniques in countries like the U.K., Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia and Nepal. It is one of the foremost organizations in the region in the field of natural dyes.

Aranya Crafts was taken over by Bengal Foundation a few years ago, but Ruby Ghuznavi continues to date to be an active part of the initiative that she founded, supporting the organization on an ongoing basis as a designer and adviser.

Project Director, Vegetable Dye project (1982 to 1990)

Ruby Ghuznavi planned, initiated and developed the Vegetable Dye Project, which was taken up as a Research and Development project by the Govt. of Bangladesh, with the objective of reviving a traditional skill using eco-friendly indigenous raw materials, and generating increased employment, particularly in the rural sector. Major craft organizations like Aarong, Kumudini, Karika, etc. with large female memberships, availed of the training courses for their producer groups while hundreds of printers, weavers and dyers also received training in natural dye techniques.

Country Delegate, Terre des hommes, Switzerland (1975 to 1992)

Alongside her work in the craft sector, Ruby Ghuznavi also headed a Swiss NGO working with children in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh for nearly two decades. The organization has a major health care component and also provides education and skills training to thousands of underprivileged children. It was the first organization to start a Street Children’s Program in Bangladesh in 1989.

Professional Interests

Crafts promotion:

  • Working closely with craft research and development since the early 1970s, particularly in the revival of natural dyes, as well promoting as the unique craft traditions of Bangladesh
  • A Founder Member of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) – also known as Bangladesh Jatiya Karushilpa Parishad – set up in 1985, and serving as its President from 2002 to 2005. During that time Bangladesh hosted the World Crafts Council – Asia Pacific Regional Assembly in 2003
  • Presently member of NCCB’s Executive Committee.
  • Honorary Member – World Crafts Council
  • Convenor – Committee on Natural Dyes, WCC-Asia Pacific Region
  • Founder Member of KARIKA, the Bangladesh Handicrafts Co-operative Federation

Activism:

  • Member of Naripokkho since 1986, and its Convener from 1999-2001. Naripokkho is a women’s activist organization formed in 1983. It undertakes advocacy, research and training on various issues related to women’s rights and development. It places a special emphasis on issues related to violence against women and human rights, environment and development, reproductive rights and women’s health, and the representation of women in media and cultural politics
  • Member of the Board of Trustees of Transparency International’s Bangladesh Chapter from 1995 to date and its Secretary General from 2004 to 2006. The aim of Transparency International is to curb corruption and build support for anti-corruption programs through strengthening civil society activities and promoting good governance.

Selected Awards:

Ruby Ghuznavi has received considerable recognition for her efforts, including national awards for her contributions to the revival of natural dyes and craft development from the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, Ananya Foundation and the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh, to name a few. Additionally, she has been honored with:

Selected Exhibitions & Projects:

Selected Training:

  • 9 February 2010 (Bangladesh Textile Residency); Natural Dyeing Course at Aranya.
  • 16 October 2014; Natural Dye Workshop, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Program of the Asia Fair Trade Summit 19-21 October 2016, Thailand

Selected Publications, interviews and contributions:

  • Naksha: A Collection of Designs of Bangladesh (Design Centre, BSCIC, 1981)
  • Jamdani article(Woven Air Exhibition, Whitechapel Gallery. London, 1988)
  • Rangeen: Natural Dyes of Bangladesh (Second Edition, Aranya Crafts Ltd, 2002)
  • Jamdani: The Legend and Legacy in Textile Traditions of Bangladesh (National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, 2006)
  • Jamdani Textile Heritage of Bangladesh in Traditional Jamdani Designs (National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, 2018)

Apart from these, she has written several articles in national and international journals and presented papers at conferences and seminars on textiles and natural dyes worldwide

Interviews:

Education:

M.A. Economics 1957; Dhaka University
B.A. (Hons) Economics 1956; Dhaka University
Schooling; Loreto Convent, Calcutta