Paat Rani — Queen of Jute Chaitali Das (Illustrated)

Edited by: Saheli Mitra

ISBN: 978-93-93063-51-9
Published: 15 January 2025
Pages: 169
Binding: Hardbound
Published by: Virasat Art Publications

This book encapsulates the journey of a woman whose indomitable spirit and zeal have transformed jute into a symbol of sustainability and fashion. Chaitali Das’ journey reflects a commitment deep to environmental advocacy and empowerment of marginalized artisans.

Paat Rani is a chronicle of the milestones in her journey, highlighting her vision and leadership in popularising jute as a fashionable and sustainable choice. It is a testament to the way her vision and determination have created a lasting impact on sustainable development, inclusivity, reformation of prison. inmates, preservation of the heritage and legacy of Indian artisans.

In her growing up years, Chaitali often heard news of shutting down of jute mills and how thousands of workers lost their jobs, their families starving, jute artisans compelled to change their livelihood giving up their exclusive craftsmanship that they had inherited down generations. Thus, she made her mission to revive & revolutionise the ‘Golden Yarn’ of Bengal, a lost heritage and bring it to life. She added to it the human touch of reformation and rehabilitation by empowering prison inmates who would soon turn into her artisans.

Chaitali’s father was a public prosecutor and she often went with him to the Police Court where the sight of prisoners and the plight of their families moved her. She realised they could be brought to the mainstream only through economic empowerment after serving their term. Thus, she employed them and launched her vision as ‘Jute Beyond Bars. Jute had always been considered as a very basic cheap fabric used for packaging food grains etc, but for Chaitali it was a block of gold that could reach fashionable heights.

Keeping that in mind, she developed innovative trends and fashionable diversified jute products, presenting jute to the world through glamorous fashion walks with supermodels. She is still relentlessly advocating for inclusive growth and equal opportunities while promoting jute as fashionable lifestyle product in various prestigious forums setting a new standard for Jute of Bengal across the globe in alignment with UN SDGs eco-friendly alternative to plastic.