Hanif originally worked with his father as an agent in their traditional bandhani craft. They would give work to tiers on a commission basis. Gradually, bandhani began to interest Hanif. When he failed his SSC exam, he lost interest in studying. He stayed in Bhuj with some artisans known as Khedoivalas for four months and learned dyeing. And at the age of nineteen, he started his own work shop without anyone’s help. Hanif employs two people and gets orders mostly from the Khedoivalas in Bhuj. He hopes to start selling his products on his own soon. According to Hanif, a good artisan should be skilled in his craft and able to solve technical difficulties. He should also be gentle in his behavior. After coming to Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya, Hanif has started thinking about design. Designs can be inspired by nature or any object, he says. What he wants to learn is the utility of design.

Hanif is hopeful that he will learn many things from KRV and that he will be able to implement whatever he learns. It is his dream to attend Fashion shows and Melas and to go abroad. The future of his craft, he feels, depends on people and market, as there is always much competition everywhere. But he is confident. “After coming to KRV, I will be different and competition will not come in my way…” he says.