Stories

A legacy carved in wood: Story of Jamshed Naseri

Jun 05, 2025

A Woodcarver’s Symphony
In a serene village tucked away in rural Khulna, Bangladesh, stands a modest wooden workshop humming with quiet craftsmanship. At its heart is Jamshed Naseri, a second-generation artisan whose hands shape not just wood, but a living heritage of art and environmental consciousness.

Passing the Chisel
Naseri’s story began in 1989 when his father, Mohsin Ali, once a protégé of the renowned artist Zainul Abedin, set up a humble workspace. For 36 years, Mohsin lovingly carved out a legacy grounded in creative freedom and integrity, becoming one of Aarong’s respected artisan producers. Upon his father’s passing, Naseri stepped forward, inheriting not only the tools but also the responsibility to nurture this legacy into the future.

Crafting with Conscience
Naseri’s workshop is small—just four artisans alongside him—but its impact is profound. Each piece crafted here speaks of elegance merged with sustainability. Deeply inspired by the Sundarban, the region’s ecological jewel, Naseri’s designs evoke the harmony between nature and creativity. The production centre proudly maintains a zero-carbon footprint, a rare triumph in a marketplace often indifferent to environmental accountability.

Sustainability, Rooted and Refined
Every piece of mahogany wood Naseri uses is ethically sourced from licensed local sawmills, carefully selected for durability and environmental responsibility. Cognisant of mahogany’s potential ecological footprint, he chooses natural varnishes over synthetic finishes, preserving both the wood’s integrity and the environment. Wood scraps are diligently repurposed into fuel or compost, ensuring minimal waste and a closed ecological loop.

A Vision Beyond the Woodshop
For Naseri, true growth goes beyond scale; it means nurturing talent, fostering sustainability, and creating a lasting impact. Each polished curve, each carefully finished product, echoes his belief that tradition and sustainability, when thoughtfully intertwined, have the power to shape not only beautiful objects but also a better, more responsible world.

Source edition | Stories