Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Jamila Navagharwala is an Indian origami artist and Guinness World Record holder. In 2015, she relocated to Japan with her husband. While adjusting to her new life, a friend introduced her to origami in a community room in Tokyo, giving her life a new meaning. 

“What I admire most about Japanese people is their humility and time management. I’ve adopted these traits in my daily life by always being on time. Hard work and attention to detail are also very unique in Japanese culture,” Navagharwala said.

Life took a significant turn for Navagharwala when she discovered her passion for origami. She delved deeper into the craft, folding more and honing her skills. After approximately a year, her family briefly moved back to Mumbai for two years.

In 2019, she relocated to Dubai with her husband and two children. Despite the many moves and changes in her life, one constant remained: her love for origami.

“I began folding origami during my stay in Tokyo. I would attend origami sessions at the community center, where I picked up the art. My aim was to understand Japanese culture and connect with the people,” Navagharwala said.

The pandemic reignited her passion for origami, leading her to promote it more extensively through workshops. In 2023, she set a world record for the largest display of origami swans, showcasing the art’s impact and reach in her mission to spread it further.

“I’m a Guinness World Record holder for the largest display of origami swans in January 2023—a dream come true. When I moved to Dubai and told people about my origami work, most of them couldn’t relate to it, thinking it was just another type of craft. To spread awareness of this art form in the region, I took it as a challenge. After achieving the record, people at least now recognize that it’s a distinct form of art, not just regular arts and crafts.”

Her motivation for doing something worth a Guinness record stems from believing that Origami connects people together.

Navagharwala’s ambition is to create an origami community in the UAE, similar to those in other countries. She is recently working on a few upcoming workshops as well as on collaborations with various individuals.

About her recommendations for those who want to learn about Origami, Navagharwala said: “Origami is an ancient art form that continues to inspire the present and future in our modern world. I recommend learning about its history to fully appreciate its depth. To start folding origami, there are plenty of resources available—you just need some paper and the willingness to begin. It’s not difficult; when I fold, it sometimes feels like the paper itself is guiding me through the next step. You simply need to understand its language.”