Arti Rana: Reviving Tharu Craftwork, Empowering Generations

Tribal Artisan & Social Entrepreneur

Crafting Empowerment

Arti Rana, a proud member of the Tharu tribal community near the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, has transformed grassroots women’s empowerment through traditional craft revival. With limited formal education and facing strong patriarchal norms, she took the bold step of learning handloom weaving in 1997. What began with just a dozen women learning basic craft skills has grown into a movement involving thousands of artisans.

Uniting Women Through Self‑Help

Arti founded the "Gautam Swarojgar" self-help group, aiming to provide sustainable livelihoods for women in her region. She began by training women in crafting products such as baskets, bags, carpets, and wall hangings using local materials like moonj grass and jute. Her leadership created a ripple effect, enabling more women to gain skills, confidence, and financial independence.

Reviving Cultural Identity

Her work wasn’t only about income - it was also about heritage. By reviving traditional Tharu embroidery and craft forms, she helped her community reconnect with their cultural roots while earning dignified livelihoods. Women who had once been confined to domestic roles began taking pride in their identity as skilled artisans and community leaders.

Scaling Impact

From those modest beginnings, Arti’s initiative expanded rapidly. She has trained more than 800 women directly and enabled the formation of over 350 self-help groups - reaching around 3,600 women across the Terai region. Her approach blended cultural preservation with women-led micro-entrepreneurship, creating a sustainable model of empowerment.

Building Bridges with Tourism

Recognizing the potential for tourism to support local crafts, Arti also helped establish a crafts and cultural center near the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. This allowed Tharu artisans to showcase and sell their work directly to visitors, boosting income and creating awareness about the tribe’s rich heritage.

Acknowledged by the Nation

Arti Rana’s dedication earned her multiple awards, including the Rani Laxmibai Bravery Award and the Gram Swaraj Award. In 2022, she received India’s highest civilian honor for women, the Nari Shakti Puraskar, recognizing her pioneering work in tribal upliftment and women’s self-reliance.

Legacy in the Making

Today, Arti continues to lead from the front - mentoring women, innovating with sustainable materials, and ensuring that traditional Tharu art finds its place in modern India. Her journey is a testament to the power of courage, community, and cultural pride.