Nalbari (Assam): A hardworking and talented woman from Nalbari district has not only woven dreams into every thread, but has also created a unique handmade gamosa with a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As PM Modi prepares for his visit to Assam on September 13, local weaver Purnima Baishya hopes to fulfil her dream of personally gifting him this handmade artefact. Purnima Baishya, a resident of Paikarkuchi village in Nalbari, has been weaving since the age of 12.
With a deep passion for the traditional Assamese textile art, she runs her loom at home. She handles household chores during the day and devotes the rest of the time to her craft.
Speaking to local media with emotion and pride, Purnima said, “We cannot weave forever; one day we will grow old. I want to leave behind something memorable – a part of my life captured in threads.”
Painting on cloth: A unique artistic expression
Purnima’s gamosa is not just a piece of cloth but a canvas. Woven with bamboo and cotton threads, the gamosa has detailed portraits of not just Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and others close to her heart.
Each portrait is carefully inlaid with floral motifs and traditional Assamese designs. It took around 20-25 days to create the portrait of Prime Minister Modi, which was completed while performing household responsibilities. The precision and dedication reflect not only artistic skill but also emotional attachment.
This is not her first creation
This is not the first time Purnima has used her loom to honour public figures. About two years ago, when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Nalbari, she had the opportunity to present him a gamchha with his portrait.
At that time she had also told the Chief Minister about her work on a gamosa based on Prime Minister Modi, for which he had encouraged her.
From dreams to livelihood
Purnima’s weaving journey has become both a creative medium and a means of livelihood. She successfully completed a 45-day government training, after which she received assistance to set up her own loom. Since then, she has been producing gamosas, mekhela-chadars, dhotis and other traditional textiles for sale, while also pursuing her passion projects.
Hope to present gamosas to PM Modi
Now, as Assam gears up to welcome PM Modi, Purnima Baishya hopes to get an opportunity to personally present her labour of love to the nation’s leader. “It will be the biggest honour of my life to present this gift to the Prime Minister with my own hands,” she said.
Through her work, Purnima not only showcases the richness of Assamese handloom traditions, but also embodies the spirit of self-reliance, perseverance and cultural pride.
