Ananya loved jewelry. Not just for wearing but she loved tracing her fingers through the intricate loops and arches and observe the minute detailing of the carvings. She belonged to the famous Mittal family of Jewelers who were a well-known name in Jaipur. Her family had several stores all over the city and catered to a large and varied clientele list. Ever since she was a young girl Ananya loved visiting the dimly lit factories and sit for hours with the craftsmen watching them carve out intricate designs into the chunks of Gold before them.
Most of these craftsmen were from Bengal and Ananya had picked up a healthy dose of the language by listening to their conversations. She would ask them questions in Bengali, and they would roll over laughing at her pronunciation of some of the terms as they patiently answered her. As she spent her hours with them, she grew adept at both the language and the craft.
Soon when she graduated from school Ananya wanted to take up Jewelry designing as her profession. It did not come as a surprise to her family. However, being an orthodox Jain family, unlike her brother they did not allow her to travel abroad for taking up the course. Ananya did not object. She was happy to join the jewelry institute in the city. Though it was not as flamboyant and pricey as the one her brother had joined, the ‘Jaipur Institute of Jewelry Design’, did have its fair share of repute in the city of Jaipur. Moreover, Ananya always knew she had the freedom to visit their factories whenever she wanted to pick up some practical skills. An opportunity she utilized to the most.
Ananya completed her Diploma with merit. She got placement offers from multiple jewelry firms some of them were quite leading names in the industry. However, Ananya wanted to join her family business. It had grown to become a part of her life. She felt at home within its dark and dimly lit factories as she sat huddled with the craftsmen talking to them, handling their tools, and learning things which no diploma course could ever teach her.
She put forward her intent to join the family business. LaxmiDas Mittal, her father’s elder brother, was the head of their family and also controlled the business. He listened to her attentively before smiling gently as he said “It is not the tradition in our family to let girls earn their living. That is the work of the menfolk. Women have more important work.”
Ananya could not imagine what could be more important than this. They were seated at the large glass topped mahogany dinner table. Her uncle usually sat at the head of the table; her father next to him. Her uncle’s sons sat on either side of the table while her brother sat next to her. Her mother, aunt and sisters-in -law would go around the table serving them, their faces usually covered with the loose end of the sari. As she was still unmarried, she could join the menfolk. Also, because she was the youngest and the only girl after three boys, she was given a bit more preference than was usual.
“I never objected when you expressed a desire to learn jewelry design. It is in our blood so it is natural that you will have an affinity towards it. But I cannot allow you to go ahead and make that into your profession” he said in his deep booming voice.
Ananya bowed her head meekly. She could never speak up against her uncle. Nobody could. She looked at her father hoping at least he would speak up. However, her father simply looked down at his plate playing around with his food.”
“But Tayaji, this has always been my dream. I cannot think of anything beyond this.” said Ananya almost in tears.
“Then it is time you start” said LaxmiDas Mittal looking at her with twinkling eyes. He loved his niece but not at the cost of sacrificing his heritage.
Ananya looked at him stunned wondering what would come next.
“We have fixed your marriage. In another two months, you will be moving to Kolkata. Start preparing for your new life dear” he said with a tone of finality.
Ananya looked flabbergasted. How could he do this to her? Fix her marriage without even asking her? Moreover, why Kolkata? Why not in Jaipur?
“I am not getting married and you all better know that” she yelled as soon as her mother came into her room to kiss her goodnight.
“Why don’t you go and tell your uncle that instead of threatening me” said her mother ignoring her angry look.
“Mom this cannot be happening to me. I do not even know who I will be married to. This is ridiculous. This is not the 18th century for God’s sake!” Ananya shouted angrily. Her mother’s coolness helped to heighten her anger further.
“Ananya stop over-reacting. If you are a good girl and do as your uncle says, maybe after your wedding we can convince him to let you join the business” said her mother.
Ananya looked at her mother to see if she was joking. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I am. You know your uncle, if you protest, he will get even more adamant and probably block all your possibilities of ever joining the business. However, if you agree to this wedding and do as you say, we will still have a chance of making him change his decision.”
Lying awake all night Ananya thought over what her mother said and realised she was right. She decided to go ahead with this wedding if that is her only way to achieve her dreams.
The wedding went off well without any further incidents. Yatin, her groom, was the only son of a large Marwari family who were based out of Kolkata for three generations. They were originally from the same village in Marwar as Ananya’s family and that is how Ananya’s uncle had come up with this proposal.
After her wedding, Ananya moved to Kolkata and settled down comfortably. Knowing the language helped her and even Yatin was surprised that she could converse with the locals as easily as he could. He was a friendly person with a contemporary outlook. Though born in an affluent family, he lived a simple and ordinary lifestyle. He had none of the airs which Ananya had found unbearable in her brothers.
Though happy in her new life, Ananya could not stop hoping that some day her uncle would change his mind and ask her to join their business. She kept her mind busy and occupied her empty hours drawing jewelry designs which she would show Yatin. He was always impressed with her knowledge and skill and would encourage her to keep on at it. He had often asked her to apply to a few places in Kolkata but Ananya somehow could not give up her aspiration of carrying forward her family’s legacy.
Within a year Ananya was expecting her first child. Her uncle sent for her as was the custom in their family. Ananya was hopeful she would now get a chance to raise the topic with her uncle.
One night as she was in bed with her mother, Ananya asked her if there was any mention of this topic.
“Are you still thinking of that Ananya?” said her mother surprised.
“What do you mean?” said Ananya looking at her mother strangely.
“I mean you should not be worrying about anything now. It impacts the child, you know. You should only think of happy thoughts.”
“This is the happiest thought for me, Mom. When will you all understand? said Ananya in a desperate whisper.
“Shhh” said her mother trying to calm her “I do understand dear. All I am saying is that focus on your child now. There will always be time for everything else later.”
Ananya sighed turning over wondering if there ever will be time for her dreams.
It was on a wet monsoon afternoon, when her son was six months old, that Ananya finally came across an opportunity that she knew would help her reach her goals. A confederacy of jewelry manufacturers was organizing a symposium and they were calling for designs. The best design would be awarded a huge contract and the design would be showcased in the leading jewelry exhibitions of the world. The only catch was that the designer would have to belong to organizations that were registered with the confederacy. Ananya was glad to see that LaxmiDas and Sons was part of the confederacy. That meant she could send her designs as she was sure her uncle would not let go of such a golden opportunity.
She picked up the phone and dialed her uncle’s direct number. After her usual greetings, she told him the real reason why she had called.
Her uncle listened patiently. After she finished all he said was “If that makes you feel happy, send me your designs. Let me see.”
Ananya could have touched the roof with joy. She got down to planning her designs. She did thorough research to get the perfect design. It needed to be aesthetic yet contemporary, intricate yet lightweight. She would have to come up with something that would excite both the urban working woman as well as her mother.
All night she would think of designs while feeding her son. Then after putting him to bed, she would get the rough designs and finally fine tune them in the afternoon when he was asleep. She worked like a maniac managing her house, family expectations and her aspirations.
After 10 days she was ready with 7 exquisite designs which she knew would blow off the judges. Ananya truly was a gifted designer. She had a natural flair for it. Her keen eye for detailing made sure that her designs were perfectly flawless.
She couriered her designs to her uncle and waited anxiously for him to get back to her. When a week passed and he did not call, she called him.
“Oh yes dear, I did get your designs. I just did not get time to call you up. I liked them. We might be using some of them. Hope everything is good at home. Give my love to Yatin” he said as he disconnected the phone.
Ananya was not sure of how to react to this lukewarm response of her tireless efforts. Was it not even worthy of slightly more euphoric appreciation? But then he did say he liked them so at least he has not completely rejected them.
She waited for another call from her uncle to inform her how and when they would be sending their entries and whether she would have to travel to attend the symposium. She had told Yatin about this progress, omitting her uncle’s indifferent response. He was happy for her as he always knew she had it in her to make it big.
A month later Ananya received a parcel . It was from her uncle and included the brochure that published the winning entries. She turned the pages nervously when there on top of the first page her design featured prominently. It had got the first prize which meant that the contract was theirs. Ananya was euphoric and was about to call Yatin to inform him when her eyes fell on the credit section. She was stunned to see Aniket Mittal featured next to the column labelled ‘Name of Designer’. It was her brother’s name. Ananya stared at the name blankly.
She checked the design again. Was she looking at a different design? No. It was the one she had sent only with one small change. She had used a ruby in the folds of the bracelet while this one had a diamond. The change was not a huge one and made no difference to the look. It was her design after all.
Shocked she picked up the phone to call her uncle.
“Oh Ananya, did you get the brochure. Isn’t it a wonderful news?” said her uncle
“Yes, but Tayaji, why does it have Aniket’s name and not mine as the designer?” asked Ananya tensely.
“What difference does it make?” asked her uncle surprised “Besides, you will not be able to leave your family to travel to Switzerland can you?”
“Why not Tayaji?” asked Ananya surprised beyond comprehension.
“That is not what our family tradition allows, Ananya. Look you wanted to be part of the business. I let you. But we cannot feature your name. If you wish to be part of this, then you will have to work behind the scenes.”
“You mean you will be using all my designs in the name of your sons?” said Ananya tears smarting her eyes.
LaxmiDas sighed “That’s the deal Ananya. Now if you will excuse me, I have a meeting with Aniket on his travel plans. Give my love to Yatin and Sunny.”
Ananya stood staring before her in shock. How could her own family back stab her like this? She realised how foolish she had been.
“Get married Ananya and things will improve”;
“Focus on your child now Ananya, the rest can all wait”.
This is what they had been feeding her with sweetly all these years. And she like a gullible idiot had unsuspectingly swallowed their pretenses. She had allowed them to walk over her without a single word of protest. Hot angry tears flew down her cheeks as she relived all the charades that they played with her and she, blind in her faith towards her family, believed everything. Not any more. Things will need to change now.
Yatin came home in the evening to find Ananya lying down in their room with the lights off. Sunny was playing with his nanny in the other room.
“What’s wrong Ananya?” he asked as he came to sit down beside her.
Ananya got up to look at him. He noticed she had been crying, He had never seen her like this. In fact, the past few days she was so excited about the design symposium that it gave her a new energy altogether. Watching her work in that feverish pitch had made him develop a new respect for her.
Ananya told him what had happened.
“This is absurd” he said in a shocked voice “How can they do this to you?”
They both sat in silence thinking hard.
“So, what are you planning to do?” said Yatin glancing at her.
Ananya just shook her head vaguely.
“You are not thinking of giving up, are you?” he said.
Ananya looked up at him “What do you mean? They are too big a brand for me to sue them.”
“Maybe” said Yatin “but that does not mean that you cannot build a brand of your own to get back at them.”
Ananya stared at him incoherently.
“Start your own Jewelry line Ananya” said Yatin.
“It’s not that easy Yatin” said Ananya “I will need tools, craftsmen, factory space, shop space. A lot of capital investment is required.”
“So, we will take bank loans. Every business requires a loan at its start. All you need is a foolproof business plan.”
“Bank loans” said Ananya unsurely “They will ask for collaterals. What do we show?”
“We can show one of my factories as a collateral?” said Yatin
“No” said Ananya “I cannot use your factories. That will be too much of a risk”
“Every business has risks Ananya. When my father started out in this business, my mother had sold her jewelry to help him. It is not that he did not fail. His initial ventures did not work out but that did not stop him from exploring other options. We all need to take risks Ananya. You wanted to get it easy. Maybe destiny had other plans for you. The road that lies in front of you now is riddled with difficulty. It depends on whether you want to take that road or lament about your lost chances all your life. Are you a fighter or a loser Ananya?”
Ananya realised he was right. She would fight no matter what it took her. She collected the designs that lay scattered around her and got ready for the long battle ahead.
The next few months was a struggle indeed. Right from getting her business plan drafted, to applying for the loans and getting it sanctioned, looking for space to set up her factory, advertising for craftsmen, she did it all herself with Yatin pitching in whenever he could.
Work came in slowly. She floated her designs on social media. The response, initially, was lukewarm. With constant efforts she noticed some traction. Gradually orders started trickling in. Once her store came up, things became a lot smoother.
She named it “Anaya”.
Her designs were graceful, feminine, and yet exuded a certain strength in their carvings. It resonated with the way she had always perceived herself.
A year later, Ananya spotted an opportunity to take her designs to the international level. There was a huge jewelry show being organized which will provide her with the platform to meet investors, leading jewelry brands as well as world-famous manufacturers to whom she could showcase her line of jewelry. It was a fantastic chance to learn new things, network and build new liaisons to take her business to new heights.
She got herself registered and got busy planning a new range of designs for the event. She was sitting stooped over her drawing board getting the final touches before she sent it off to her factory to get a sample made when the phone rang.
Still engrossed in her work, she picked up the phone.
“Hello” she answered absent-mindedly.
“Ananya?” the well-known authoritative voice boomed out at her.
Ananya instinctively straightened as she realised it was her uncle calling. They had not spoken since their last phone call. She had not even told them that she had started her own brand.
“My regards Tayaji” said Ananya softly wondering why he had called now.
“You have opened your own jewelry brand and not bothered to tell us?” his tone was accusing and rough.
“I did not think it was important enough, Tayaji” she said calmly.
“Not important? You realise what you are doing? You are going into competition with us?” said LaxmiDas gruffly.
“I don’t think so Tayaji. My designs cater to a completely different clientele and have no similarities with your design range. Also, they are much cheaper” said Ananya quietly.
“Never mind all that. It is enough that you have gone this far. There is no reason that you should take this much further. I want you to merge your brand with ours” he said with his well-known air of finality.
“I don’t understand Tayaji, what do you mean merge my brand with yours?” asked Ananya confused.
“There is no need to have two brands in the same family Ananya. LaxmiDas Mittal and Sons will henceforth own ‘Anaya’” he said firmly.
“No, they won’t” said Ananya fuming. She could feel the familiar rage that she had tried curbing resurfacing after all these years.
“ ‘Anaya’ is not for sale, Mr.Mittal.”
“Ananya you dare to disobey me?” said Lakshmidas Mittal losing his cool for the first time.
“Yes, I dare. I should have dared much earlier. At least then I would not have wasted so many precious years of my life.” She said breathing hard. Her eyes had brightened with tears and she was glad that her uncle could not see her now or he would have sneered at her displaying her womanly frailty.
“Let’s get this very clear Mr.Mittal. Anaya is my brainchild. I have nurtured it with my toil and sweat. I am not going to sell this to anyone and least of all to you. If you are scared that I may overshadow your brand, then that is a problem you need to take care of.”
“Ananya, you don’t know anything about running a business. You will die out in two days” LakshmiDas thundered from the other end.
“Maybe I will. But as long as I survive, I wish to do so on the strength of my own merit and not on someone else’s. Unlike you Mr. Mittal I do not steal and grab from others.”
A deafening silence on the other end ensued before she heard the soft click of the phone indicating that her uncle had disconnected.
Ananya was still shivering from nervousness but a slow smile spread through her face as she felt a warm glow in her heart. She knew this was the start and there will be more battles ahead, but she had won the first and the most important one in which she had undoubtedly emerged as a true warrior.
Photo credit: Unsplash
