Weaving Strength into Every Strand
At an age when many step back from work, Navaratnam Kunamani has stepped forward by transforming simple palm leaves into symbols of strength, creativity, and independence. From her modest space in Jaffna, she has turned a traditional craft into a source of steady income, self-worth, and inspiration for others. What began as a response to hardship has now become a meaningful pursuit that blends cultural heritage with personal resilience. [1685]
Kunamani’s journey began after a profound personal loss, the death of her husband when she was just 32. Left to manage both grief and responsibility, she initially turned to tailoring to support her family. But when that income proved insufficient, she looked to her cultural roots and began working with palm leaves, transforming them into beautiful and functional products.[1669, 1675, 1672]
From pooja boxes to knitting containers and hats, every item she makes is shaped entirely by hand. Her colorful hats, ranging from monochrome to two-tone styles, have become her signature product, especially loved by women and children. What makes them special is her attention to detail: she personally designs hats in custom shapes and shades, based on customer preferences. [1673]
In the early stages, Kunamani sold her items in local shops, but earnings were minimal. It wasn’t until she joined the Sanjeevi sales platform that her business began to flourish. Today, she continues to sell most of her work through Sanjeevi and earns a steady income. “Before, I sold to shops. Since joining Sanjeevi, I’ve been getting better returns. What I once sold for Rs. 100, I can now sell for Rs. 300–400,” she shared proudly.
Behind her quiet success is a foundation of sisterly support. After her husband's passing, Kunamani’s sister stood by her side, and together they began crafting at home. Though her sister can no longer assist due to health issues, her early encouragement remains central to Kunamani’s achievements.
Beyond her own work, Kunamani takes pride in teaching others. She has trained local youth in palm-leaf crafting, many of whom are now running their own small businesses. “I teach them how I do it. Now they’re doing it themselves,” she said with joy. To her, others’ success is not competition - it’s progress for the whole community.
Still, she faces challenges. Palm leaves are seasonal, and raw materials must be stockpiled in advance, and a struggle without proper storage space or sufficient capital. Her production is currently split between her sister’s home and her daughter’s shop, limiting her growth.[1681]
Looking ahead, Kunamani dreams of expanding her product range and introducing more colorful, innovative palm-leaf designs. For her, each creation is more than just a product, it’s a blend of tradition and transformation, handwoven with hope.
