Ruby Pal Chowdhury, the living legend, a repository of immense knowledge on Indian textiles and craft. I knew her from afar, but when I started my textile store Qissaa I met her first hand and I can iterate that she is one of the most incredible women I have met. Truly my role model!

She wears the most exquisite sarees, her home has bits of treasured heirloom craft memories, which she remembers and recounts with clarity even at 90 years. Her elegance, warmth and love are unparalleled. She has always made me feel that I am a special person in the textile world when my knowledge doesn’t add up. She has affectionately remembered and come to my shop every time I have invited her and been very appreciative of my small teenyweeny efforts. Greatness for sure!

She is the Goddess of the Indian textile world and has associated with the greats. She started the Crafts Council of West Bengal with Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay. She is feted by achievers all over the world yet her humility is all pervasive. The artisans and weavers love and worship her because she tirelessly works for their benefit. Even at 90 she continues working with passion to further the causes she has espoused.

If I learn and know even a fragment of what she knows and adopt a fraction of her persona, I will be blessed!

Pronam to a great human being who has truly walked the mile.