Sadiq wants to Stitch
by Mamta Nainy and illustrated by Niloufer Wadia
“Sadiq wants to stitch” is a delightful story written by Mamta Nainy and illustrated by Niloufer Wadia. Published by Karadi Tales. The book is about breaking gender stereotypes. A beautiful story set high up in the Himalayas.
Sadiq is a little boy who belongs to the nomadic Bakarwal community of shepherds and goatherds in Pir Panjal and Himalayan mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. They travel to Kashmir valley during summer and make their way to warmer regions when winter sets in. While Bakarwal men tend to their livestock, the women are known for their unique embroidery skills.
Sadiq loved to embroider and was happiest working with his needle and threads. He felt that his Ammi made the most beautiful embroidered rugs in the whole of Kashmir. Though she helped him learn to get his stitches nice and neat, he could tell that she wasn’t too happy when he stitched. Boys were not supposed to be stitching in their community. Ammi wanted Sadiq to tend to his sheep and let her do the stitching. But Sadiq is determined to pursue his passion. He doesn’t want to give up.
Will Sadiq be able to convince her? Will Ammi change her mind? The story not only serves as a norm defying one but also highlights a fading craft which needs urgent revival. Many traditions including traditional craft is passed on from one generation to the next and not necessarily taught formally in any school etc. Many such traditions are at risk of being lost to time if the newer generation is no longer interested in them. This book helps us to explain this to our kids and (hopefully) get them to value our traditions as they grow up.
The story also introduces children to the concept of nomadic life and the lifestyle of the Bakarwal community. In the end there is a fact sheet about them. The charming illustrations bring the story to life and portray the beautiful region as well as the lovely embroidery. The book is apt for children aged 6/7+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Karadi Tales here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.