I Never Buy Branded Clothes: Ratna Pathak Shah

FLO Hyderabad to Revive the 4,000-Year-Old Dokra Art from Adilabad: Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson, FLO

Renowned actor, theatre artist, and art enthusiast Ratna Pathak Shah addressed members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) on Friday at ITC Kohenur, Madhapur, on the topic ‘Crafting Characters, Shaping Stories.’

In her opening remarks, Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson of the FLO Hyderabad chapter, emphasized the power of storytelling, stating that it transcends cultural and age barriers, fosters connection, empathy, and understanding, and shapes our perception of the world and our place within it.

“This year, FLO is embarking on a journey to bring the powerful story of Dokra Art from Adilabad to the forefront. It is a key initiative for us. We aim to revive the 4,000-year-old Dokra metal casting craft by supporting artisans through awareness, design intervention, and market linkages,” said Prathibha.

“We are not merely preserving this tradition; we are evolving it. By working closely with artisans from Ushegaon, Jamgaon, and Keslaguda, we are transforming Dokra from traditional temple idols to functional, contemporary designs that blend heritage with modern utility,” she added.

Prathibha expressed gratitude to the district administration, especially Sri Rajarshi Shah, I.A.S., District Collector & Magistrate, Adilabad District, and Smt. Khushboo Gupta, IAS, Project Officer, I.T.D.A., for their invaluable support in this initiative.

A complete collection of Dokra craft products was showcased during the session.

Ratna Pathak Shah unveiled a specially curated memento featuring Telangana’s ancient Dokra craft. Two artisans, Shri Bhujanga Rao and Smt. Girijha Bai, were invited to be part of the launch.

Following this, Ratna Pathak Shah engaged in a conversation with Prathibha Kunda.

“I am overwhelmed by my introduction today. Many awards were mentioned, but I don’t even remember them. I don’t like attending award functions because they create differences between people,” she remarked.

When asked about the impact of storytelling in her life, she shared, “I grew up in a family of storytellers, so the skill came naturally to me. I never wanted to be like my friends; I wanted to be different and special. Ironically, I hated the idea of being an actress, but I ended up becoming one. Acting gives you the rare opportunity to experience various professions without actually studying them.”

“I communicate well and express my thoughts clearly. This clarity has made me impactful,” she added.

Criticizing ineffective communication, she said, “Many people beat around the bush and fail to make a point. They make more noise than sense. Say what you want to say, but say it differently. That’s how you truly connect with people.”

Discussing the importance of scriptwriting, she stated, “A script makes a huge difference. It is the most crucial aspect of storytelling. Writing a good script is not easy; it takes time, effort, and energy.”

Speaking about the theatre group she co-founded with her husband, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna highlighted the entrepreneurial challenges of theatre. “Unlike film, theatre is a challenging task. We decided to stay small but make a big impact. We have always preferred venues that don’t require extensive infrastructure support. Theatre is a great way to communicate new ideas. You can look into your audience’s eyes and perform—that’s the beauty of theatre. Human contact is always needed, wanted, preferred, and celebrated. Theatre will survive,” she affirmed.

Ratna also spoke about home businesses, emphasizing that handcrafted products hold more value than mechanized ones. “Artisans, craftsmen, and women pass on their skills from generation to generation, making their work invaluable.”

Addressing the theme of change in society, she referenced the film Thappad, which explores the impact of domestic violence. “Changing attitudes is the most difficult challenge,” she observed.

Recalling her journey with handloom fabrics, she said, “I grew up in a family full of women who loved sarees. My love for handlooms began when I developed an aversion to wearing nylon fabrics. The feel of nylon against my skin put me off, and that’s when my connection with handwoven fabrics started.”

She encouraged the audience to support handmade products over branded ones. “Handwoven fabrics combine functionality and beauty in a way that mechanized textiles cannot. I never buy branded products because they lack Indianness. Printed products are mere copies, while craftsmen struggle to survive.”

She stressed the importance of instilling a love for arts and crafts from a young age. “Children must be taught about arts and crafts in schools. That is how we integrate art into everyday life.”

In her closing remarks, Ratna Pathak Shah left the audience with a thought-provoking message: “Don’t pull the ladder up after you’ve reached the top.”

The session was attended by over 250 FLO members.