"My role is to foster creative spaces where women can express themselves freely, without restrictions. I want them to tell their own stories, in their own way, using the skills and knowledge they’ve developed."
Anitha N is an art historian with a Masters in Art History from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. As a community-based textile art practitioner, curator and researcher based in Bangalore, Anitha has worked with several crafts collectives in the field of quilting, kasuthi, kalamkari, and more. She is currently organising and mobilising Siddi quilters in Uttara Kannada and Dharwad districts in India. The aim is to transform hand stitching into a sustainable source of creative agency and income.
Anitha conducts research and ground level experience-based investigation with the Siddis (who are of African-Indian ancestry) of Karnataka, India. In addition to improving their livelihood, the revival of community-based textile hand stitching practices is a cornerstone of her work. Anitha has been promoting the idea of collaborative community practice within India and internationally.
As a curator of contemporary art, she seeks to blur the lines between art and craft by elevating craft practices in contemporary art spaces. She is also actively involved in groups practicing psycho-dynamics and expressive arts therapy.
Dea: What do textiles mean to you?
Anitha: Textiles are an integral part of my life—they feel like a second skin. They speak to who I am, how I perceive the world, and how I embody my experiences. It wasn’t always clear that textiles would become my medium, but over time, I recognized the deeper connection I had with them. The way I wear textiles, the stories they hold, and what they reflect about me became more apparent as I grew into this work. As a woman, I feel that handwork holds significant meaning—it’s not just about craft, but about expression, identity, and tradition.
Dea: What’s your background and what led you to working with your chosen mediums?
Anitha: I come from a middle-class, patriarchal, feudal Reddy family. My background is in art history—that’s what I studied—but I was originally supposed to become a doctor, like many in my family. However, an early marriage and personal disruptions at the age of 16 led me down a different path. I joined art college, becoming the first in my family to pursue art. With little guidance or support, I had to carve my own path. An art history professor once told me I had high marks and encouraged me to pursue the field, which is how I found my way into it. I wasn’t able to study painting, as I initially wanted, but I have no regrets.
Textiles always fascinated me, even during college. After graduating, I worked with various artisan groups—kalamkari, lambani embroidery, woodwork, block printing, and more. Looking back, it wasn’t a conscious decision to work with textiles—it was a natural connection. Even without realizing it, textiles were always present in my life. Some days, I instinctively knew what to wear, while other times, I’d sift through my entire wardrobe until something felt right—not to impress others, but to feel aligned with myself. The colors, the textures—they had to match my mood in that moment.
Exposure to craft fairs and traditional textiles during college, combined with my academic background in art history, deepened my understanding of India’s cultural and community practices. Textiles became more than just fabric—they became my medium of expression and a part of my identity. It wasn’t a planned path, but something that felt instinctively mine.
Dea: What’s your creative process like? Is there a specific piece or project you are proud of?
Anitha: Working with the Siddi community is incredibly close to my heart—it feels like giving birth to something meaningful. This isn’t just a project; it’s a deeply personal journey. I met each woman, mobilized them, visited their homes, lived with them, and worked alongside them. This helped me understand not only their creative processes but also my own. Creativity isn’t a solitary act for me—it’s collaborative and co-creative. The way I engage with the Siddi women gives me a profound sense of acknowledgment and connection.
Wherever I go, I collect scrap fabric. I sit and sort through the pieces myself, then work with the Siddi practitioners to weave their stories into the textiles. Each stitch holds a narrative, and that’s what makes this work so dear to me.
What makes this work even more meaningful is the connection I feel with them—not just as artists, but as women. I relate to their struggles because I’ve faced challenges as a woman navigating societal expectations. The Siddi community has been racially discriminated against and marginalized, and I see parallels between their experiences and mine. This connection transcends the idea of a “project”—it’s a relationship, a shared journey, and something that touches me deeply on both personal and creative levels.
"Community art, especially women’s work, is often overlooked for its creativity and reduced to market-driven products. The communities I work with are already empowered, capable of developing their own mediums and methods for survival. In the name of economic empowerment, we shouldn’t be manipulating or exploiting them."
Dea: Are you working on any exciting projects right now?
Anitha: Yes, I’m working on several exciting projects. One of the most important is helping the Siddi women obtain passports and visas so they can travel with me to the U.S. for a community lab. This will be an interactive space where we engage with a U.S. community to create something together, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.
I’ve also arranged an art residency in Jodhpur. I’m preparing three women to join me for this exchange program, where they will teach and learn new techniques. The idea is for them to return and share their experiences with the rest of the community, so we can collectively create artwork that reflects their journey.
In addition, I’m helping the women apply for various awards. One of them is preparing to travel to Delhi for the first time to receive an award, and I’m figuring out how to support her journey. Another elder artisan will receive an award from the Crafts Council of Telangana, and I’m arranging for her to travel to Hyderabad for the ceremony.
I’m also working on an exhibition at DakshinaChitra in Chennai, exploring a connection between Bleeding Madras fabric and the Siddi community. The goal is to develop this into a touring exhibition, weaving together historical and contemporary narratives of textiles and identity.
"This isn’t just about preserving traditions—it’s about allowing these practices to evolve in contemporary contexts while ensuring that the creative agency remains with the practitioners themselves."
"I’ve had to carve out my own path in every aspect of life. The drive to resist, to fight, to swim against the tide—that’s where my inspiration comes from. It’s about pushing boundaries, both personal and societal, and finding strength in that resistance."
Dea: Any tips for aspiring creatives?
Anitha: Stay curious. Let your curiosity guide you, not just in your work but in how you engage with the world. Creativity isn’t something that exists in isolation; it’s influenced by your experiences, the people you meet, and the environments you immerse yourself in. Be open to learning from everything and everyone.
Don’t be afraid to question norms or structures. Sometimes the most meaningful work comes from challenging what’s considered standard and carving out your own path. Remember, creativity isn’t always about the final product—it’s about the process, exploration, and the connections you make along the way.
Lastly, be authentic. Create from a place that feels true to you, not just what’s trending or marketable. When your work reflects who you are and what you believe in, it resonates on a deeper level.
Wow, we don't know about you, but we're feeling energized after reading that interview with Anitha! She's truly inspiring when it comes to discovering our own voices and identities through the art of textiles, while also empowering women and local communities. A genuine rockstar in the textile world, she finds strength within herself and helps others discover their own spaces too.
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Want to support Anitha?
She is collecting colorful cotton scraps (anything 3 inches and above).
If you are an individual garment maker, tailor, or boutique that wants to collect fabric scraps and send them to her address, please reach out to her!
Connect with Anitha here:
Instagram: anithanreddy
Facebook: anithanredyy
Linkedin: Anitha N Reddy
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