More than a thousand women, mostly of Indian origin, made history on June 16 when they all arrived dressed in sarees, some of which were made by a humble “Kantha” artisan from West Bengal named Rupa Khatun, who had never heard of Queen Elizabeth II, let alone Royal Ascot.
The royal family usually arrives in horse-drawn carriages to the famous race meeting, where men wear morning suits and top hats and women wear striking hats.
Doctor from Kolkata came up with idea to celebrate the creations of Indian weavers
However, Dipti Jain, a UK-based doctor from Kolkata, came up with the idea of a crowd of women wearing sarees to Ascot to show their pride in their national heritage and to celebrate the creations of Indian weavers. Most were from the United Kingdom, but some were from other countries, including India.
Rupa Khatun, an artisan from Nanoor, West Bengal, hand-embroidered Jain’s silk saree with London and Kolkata skylines, the Queen’s face, Big Ben, a red phone box, and the Tower of London (33).
Sitting at her home on June 16, Khatun was beaming from head to foot. “I have never had any formal training in making sarees. I just learnt from the other women in the village and my mother and grandmother. I am really proud. I did not know about the Queen, London or Big Ben before,” said Khatun whose village is famous for “kantha” embroidery.
”This is the hardest saree I have ever made. I am used to traditional prints,” she added. It took her four months to make, with help from other women. “The hardest part was making the Queen’s face absolutely perfect.”
Tanima Paul, an Indian artisan promoter in the UK, designed the saree and sent Google images of Big Ben and the Queen to S K Nurul Hoda, who lives in the same village as Khatun, via WhatsApp. He drew them on the fabrics, bought the materials, and Khatun created the saree.
Just as the saree was almost finished, Paul spotted London had been spelt “Landon”. Khatun then corrected it.
Made a silk stole with a Union Jack and the Queen’s face
Khatun also made a silk stole with a Union Jack and the Queen’s face on, which the group plan to gift to the Queen, whose horses race at Ascot. “I wish I could meet the Queen and see how she feels about the stole,” Khatun said.
“All my life I have wanted to promote Indian craftsmen and give them due recognition. It is such a big achievement to be featured at Ascot,” said Paul, who also designed some of the other sarees including a
Covid-themed saree, hand-painted in Madubhani style by Choti Thakur from Darbhanga, Bihar, and another themed with Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
An Ascot spokesperson said: “This is a wonderful initiative and so worthwhile, we welcome them all warmly to Royal Ascot.”
