A handmade book

I've shared a little bit about the '30 Days' book -- how the blog grew and connected people organically over the past 10 years; how I met Sughra, her inspiring story and beautiful art that graces the pages. I knew I didn't want to trust this treasure of stories and artwork with anyone - I wanted the layout, production, and binding of the book to have a meaningful story, too. I wanted the book to be bound by hand, to have people, not machines, tying these stories together; to produce a book that could breathe, and be breathtaking.

I reached out to my dear friend, and world respected photographer and activist, Shahidul Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as I had seen that his organization Drik had produced handmade books. It was the busiest time for Drik, during their Chobi Mela festival and while moving to their new building, and this project had an unforgiving deadline to be ready for Ramadan. But Shahdiul agreed, and put me in the trusted hands of Asm Rezaur Rahman, Drik's GM who has shepherded this project under stressful conditions with grace and professionalism. (I look forward to his WhatsApp messages, either with good news or bad, because they always start with "Apa" - a term of respect for an older sister.)

I just received this photograph, Reza and Shahidul holding the first 'binding copy' of "30 Days - Stories of Gratitude, Traditions, and Wisdom." Yes, there were a few tears when I saw this.

Each book is being bound by hand, by a team of 15 people. I asked Shahidul what makes a handmade book so special: "First no book is identical," he said, "There are tiny differences in the binding and the stitching that make each book unique. The second is that the books have a direct association with people whose individual care and attention go to make the book what it is; with each book it is an individual's care and livelihood that you are linking up with."

I asked him if this project supported Drik in some way; I loved his answer. "To be involved in a collaboration across the seas relates to our belief that we can build together, that we can share across boundaries. That is what the world needs to recognize more than ever. In such divisive times, that we can reach out and trust each other and continue to inspire one another." And he said, "it also provides work during these difficult COVID times and makes a difference to people's livelihoods."

Shahidul added in a post, "there is a joy in touching a book, in smelling the paper, leafing through the pages that you simply can't get elsewhere. The postcards at the end are a very nice touch too. People will love it."

The Drik and printing teams are working around the clock to get the books ready for us. Today Reza sent a message, "Apa, there's bad news, government has announced a Covid lockdown..."

It's ok, Reza. This too is part of this book's story. It's not easy to produce something beautiful, in the midst of a pandemic. This entire project, that started 10 years ago, was a bond of trust ... it continues to be. And if Ramadan teaches us one profound lesson, it's sabr (patience).

Thank you Shahidul, Reza, Azad, the AV team, Binimoy printers, and every single person who is breathing life into this book. I am so grateful for your commitment and hard work and for being part of this story.

PS: that's my parents photo on the page you see, this is for you Mom and Dad.