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Priya

Dear Novica Customers,
Very sad news has reached us. Jewelry artisan Priya passed away May 5, 2007, suffering from a brain tumor detected too late for treatments to save her. Priya is survived by her husband and 13-year-old son. The family is devastated. As Anvita of Novica India describes, "Priya was so active and dynamic, always doing more, trying something new, as if she wanted to gather experiences beyond her destined years. We are all feeling the loss of a beautiful soul and a dedicated budding designer. We pray to God that her soul rest in peace and her family gets the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss."



"Hi, I am Priya and I was born and brought up in Imphal, in the capital district of Manipur state. Ours was a very big family with 13 siblings, so it was great fun growing up. I did my schooling and college in my hometown. Manipur is a Hindu area so family togetherness is very much in practice. All together, it was a huge family. We never had the need for friends from outside our home.

"My father was a textile designer. In the 1960s, he took designing courses from Banaras and Kerela. During those days, studying outside the state was a big thing and not many people were into designing. My father was, so to say, among the first in this field. After he finished his course, he returned to our state and open a handloom workshop. Eventually he had more than 100 people helping him.

"My father has passed away now and, unfortunately, there was no one to take over the workshop since everyone is married and settled with their respective professions and businesses.

"After college, I moved to the capital and I met my husband here. Since I was not doing anything, I wanted to keep myself busy. I started designing clothes of ethnic style. It started as a hobby but turn out to be my profession. Though I never had any formal training in designing, it wasn't difficult for me. I think I inherited the quality from my late father. At the same time I'd also design coordinated jewelry for my clothing. Seeing my creativity, friends encouraged me and this is how I started my jewelry line. I have just started and it gets better and better. I know I have a long way to go and I want everyone to encourage me."