#1 The voice of a master artisan
We chatted with Tauquir, an expert in handcrafted rug making in India.
On our last trip to India, we had a chat with Tauquir, the owner of the family business with which we have been collaborating since 2008.
What does it mean to you to weave a rug?
The reason handmade rugs are important to me and many families in India is that they preserve and bring to life an age-old cultural legacy. My great-great-grandfather started making rugs as a way to make a living. Later, my grandfather and his 3 sons took over, among them my father. Today, we are a family business made up of 5 brothers and 3 sisters, all involved in some way in the art of rug making.
"For us it is an honor and prestige to preserve the knowledge and family tradition."
--- Tauquir
How difficult is it to make a rug? How long does it take for a rug to come out as a final product? For you, what determines the value/price of a rug?
It depends on many factors such as technique, density or size. A handmade rug can take anywhere from 4 to 26 weeks to make. Its value is marked by its fiber. For example, silk, mohair or cashimier rugs are the most difficult to obtain and therefore more expensive.
A relationship between threads and looms with more than 14 years of history
Haji Habibullah Ansari (Tauquir's father) with Nani Marquina
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2012
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2017
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2022
How is sustainability involved in your production process?
The truth is that we feel confident when we talk about sustainability. We are dedicated to making handmade rugs using mainly natural and recycled fibers. From the breeder of the sheep, shearer, spinner, shredder to the weaver. It is an entirely manual process.
In addition, the rugs we manufacture are long-lasting pieces; they are passed from generation to generation, from hand to hand.
One of our challenges is to gain control about traceability of raw materials.
What does it mean to work for nanimarquina?
We started in 2008, 14 years ago, and we are very happy to continue working with such kind and genuine people. nanimarquina is not just my client, it is my partner. Also for the artisans who have been working with us for more than 15 years, Nani Marquina is a special client. They have a great appreciation for crafts and our culture. In addition, they collaborate from the beginning with the organization Care & Fair, they are involved in India.
At nanimarquina we are committed to artisan work and the preservation of the local economy, favoring its development.
