who made it
Sari Bari makes and sells beautiful, handmade, vintage sari products but it's more than that. The heart of Sari Bari is its women survivors of Kolkata's red light areas who have taken brave steps into new life, freedom and hope.
Each Sari Bari product is marked with the name of the woman who made it and with your purchase you become a part of her freedom story.
Our friend Aduri has an amazing eye for details and the steady endurance of a tree. We enjoy watching as she blossoms from time to time.
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
Quiet and hardworking, she extends grace and patience to her coworkers.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
Friendly and kind. Arjina is a hard and determined worker. She has a great smile and loves to chime in with her share of jokes!
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
A wonderful story teller and friend to all the ladies. She has an amazingly contagious laugh. We love to hear her tell a story and laugh so hard she can’t speak.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
Sassy with a soft heart. She is a mother lioness and hard worker.
Freedom Birthday: February 2006
Adventurous and always excited to try something new. Arpita has a mother’s nurturing heart and brings a positive attitude with her each day.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Beautiful, kind and hardworking. We love our friend Asha.
Freedom Birthday: December 2007
She doesn't speak up much, but her mind is always whirring away. Sitting across from her you won't be able to stop yourself from asking, "Penny for your thoughts."
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Our gorgeous Sari Bari grandmother. If you need food she’ll feed you or if you need a hug she will be the first to embrace you. She is brave and protective, fighting hard for the freedom of those around her.
Freedom Birthday: January 2008
Smart, kind and tender, Bida stuns us with her brilliance and desire to keep going even in difficult circumstances!
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
She has a clear mind, a quiet spirit, and is determined to create a better life for herself and her family.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Sweet and funny she is always ready with a joke or funny story to make heavy days lighter, and her contagious laugh makes everyone smile.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
A beautiful seamstress, she’s so good we asked her to train the other ladies. She mothers and leads with beautiful dignity.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
The speed of her stitching and her commitment to provide for her family are only matched by her bright smile.
Freedom Birthday: November 2010
Quiet and hardworking, she keeps her patience and shows us grace.
Freedom Birthday: August 2008
Confident and hard working, she loves her family and has an ornery streak that comes out when you least expect it.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
A proud mother and dedicated seamstress, Durga has given freedom her whole heart.
Freedom Birthday: April 2010
She has a ready smile and friendly heart; we love just being around Gita!
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
She exemplifies a quiet strength. Though she doesn’t say a lot throughout the day, she has resilience and determination that speaks for itself.
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
Passionate connector with all people. She has been a light for many girls that she has brought though the doors of Sari Bari. It is a joy to share life with her.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Smart, quick and determined with a ready smile and willingness to help in every situation. She is a natural leader who will go the distance.
Freedom Birthday: November 2009
A hard worker with amazing patience, her name means imagination, and we imagine a beautiful future for her.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
She has a beautiful heart, is a great friend and a hard worker.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
She is always wearing a smile, and always ready to have some fun.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Remember your favorite Aunt, the one that smells like fresh baked cookies and gives warm hugs? This is our Lokki, everyones favorite Aunt.
Freedom Birthday: April 2010
Focused and determined, she sews with a deep desire for freedom for herself and her family. She walks with natural confidence and a little dose of sass to keep things fun!
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Young and impressionable, she is everyone’s little sister and we love that she has such a bright future ahead!
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
She laughs all day long. She tells great stories that keep everyone laughing along with her.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
Boisterous and fun, Mina is always willing to join in on our office morning exercises. She has an easy smile and soft heart.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Our Sari Bari resident mother has a quiet leadership that holds us all together. We named our new sling bag after Minu because she, like most mothers, had a very strong opinion about it!
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
She is always thinking about her family and her future. Though quiet in nature, she exemplifies strength.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
Quiet, gentle strength. She is a beautiful mother who personifies peace. Her little daughter is her exact replica and has quickly become our Sari Bari mascot!
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
She is always looking for a new friend, and her vibrant smile, and open heart are impossible to resist. Mousumi's dedication to freedom is breath-taking.
Freedom Birthday: April 2010
Mukti means freedom in Bengali and is the first name that every woman at Sari Bari is given. Mukti is every woman at Sari Bari!
Friendly and kind, she makes friends with ease and creates space for others to grow. The tote bag was named after Namita, because she has given many hours to making this bag special.
Freedom Birthday: September 2008
She may keep to herself, but don't let that fool you - Nisha is playful, a bit ornery, and has an unbelievably generous heart.
Freedom Birthday: September 2010
Thoughtful and sensitive, Nomita is a natural encourager and a gift of peace in our community.
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
Quiet, confident and lovely. We appreciate her hard work and kind smile.
Freedom Birthday: August 2008
Quiet strength and a beautiful heart. We love the way she leads the women by working by their side so that everyone succeeds. Our bamboo handle bag was named after Parul who perfected it and made attaching those difficult bamboo handles possible!
Freedom Birthday: July 2007
Full of attitude and sass, Priti has a tough exterior but a tender heart.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Full of imagination and dreams for the future, Puja adds a sweet spirit to Sari Bari.
Freedom Birthday: September 2010
Tender, determined and loyal. We love Purnima’s quiet focus and friendly heart!
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Her gentle heart and sweet smile will brighten up any room. She's slow to complain, and quick to ask about your day.
Freedom Birthday: September 2010
Full of joy and a willingness to embrace everyone. She is a wonderful, committed mother.
Freedom Birthday: December 2007
It's hard to say what makes Reba so endearing: is it her smile? Her stories? Or her eagerness to help out the other ladies when they're in need?
Freedom Birthday: September 2010
Always ready with a witty comment or a funny impersonation, Rekha adds laughter and life to Sari Bari, and isn't afraid to laugh at her own jokes.
Freedom Birthday: April 2010
The prevention unit's resident story teller. Animated and full of life, her stories will catch your ear. Her resilience and dedication to her family will inspire you.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Resident comedian and jokester. If you need a good laugh or a good cry spend time with Rina.
Freedom Birthday: December 2007
Rinku's light-heartedness and laughter bring people together. She is quick to share a smile, and you won't be able to help but smile with her.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Her words may be few, but her smile can light up a room.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
A natural leader, full of patience and kindness. She brings the community together with strength and her compassionate heart. She now leads full time as the Assistant Manager at the new Sari Bari Unit.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
She is bravely facing a new hopeful future and making an new way for her family.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
So quiet you might miss her overwhelmingly beautiful smile if you're not paying attention. She exemplifies peace and steadfast patience with herself and others.
Freedom Birthday: April 2010
Welcoming with an open heart, her hugs are like food for the soul.
Freedom Birthday: November 2009
Her quiet, gentle spirit is a beautiful addition to our family. She is a steady worker with a smile that lights up a room!
Freedom Birthday: November 2009
A compassionate tender heart. Believes in the dream for freedom and is walking with other women to bring them out of the sex trade.
Freedom Birthday: February 2006
Dedicated, focused and hard working, Shakina is a great sewer and dear sister.
Freedom Birthday: May 2006
Fastest hand in the east. She is fully motivated to live in freedom and make something better for her family.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
Quiet and reserved, she takes steps toward freedom with grace and determination.
Freedom Birthday: September 2008
Dedicated and steady, she is making her way to a new life and some sweet sewing skills.
Freedom Birthday: December 2009
A tough girl with a tender heart, who is willing to go all out to support her family and find her way to new life.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
Kind and gentle, she is a hard worker and example of steadfastness to the other ladies.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Wise and full of grace. We love her melodic conversation and attention to detail.
Freedom Birthday: February 2007
A patient young woman with a quiet and beautiful nature.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
A wonderful dancer with a beautiful smile.
Freedom Birthday: December 2007
Our social butterfly is always looking for an opportunity to get dressed up. She easily finds reasons to celebrate, and encourages those around her to join in the fun.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Everyone's little sister, Suporna always has a story to tell.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Our loving flower is shy, yet bold. She is a humble leader who is always ready with a smile even as she speedily works through the day.
Freedom Birthday: July 2007
Loves her family and has a generous heart for those around her.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
She doesn't have a lot to say, but her hands are fast, her focus sure. Tagori is dedicated to working hard and earning for her family.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
With a sharp mind, and fierce dedication, she is the type of person you want in your corner.
Freedom Birthday: February 2011
Brimming with life, joy, and laughter. She is a natural leader and incredibly hard worker. She lights up a room with her personality and spunk—even under the most difficult circumstances.
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
Laid back and quiet at first glance, but get to know her and you’ll see a great sense of humor and welcoming spirit that is incredibly valuable to our community!
Freedom Birthday: August 2009
She has an amazing contagious laugh and is known for funny face making abilities.
Freedom Birthday: June 2010
