Tana Bana draws on a diverse pool of creative talents; our skills range from hand weaving to graphic design to oil painting. The founding members are:
Susan Ritchie (Suzie)
Before co-founding TANA BANA,
Suzie spent a decade as a freelance
textile designer, creating dobby and
jacquard patterns for materials as
diverse as silk and polyolefin. A
graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Suzie
began as a hand weaver, building a strong foundation
in structure. After five years with Guilford of Maine,
where she was the design director, Suzie went on to
study traditional hand-weaving and dyeing techniques
in India. Suzie’s vast experience helps in innovating
with available resources, and exploring the complex
interrelation of pattern, structure and yarn
Srinivasan Jayapal (Shreenie)
Shreenie comes from a traditional
weaver’s family in Salem, India. A
third generation scion of this family,
he blends rich traditions with modern
technology. His experience in the
U.S. these past years now marries those skills with
manufacturing innovation. A graduate of the premier
design school, NID in India, he has been instrumental
in reviving some of the dying crafts in India. In 1996,
he was invited to work at Absecon Mills, where he
continued and grew to head the design department.
His deep experience in dobby and jacquard helps
TANA BANA deliver ready-to-weave solutions.
