Bakula loves shopping in her village – Hebri (near Udupi); a habit she has had since her childhood days. Last year she came across a beautiful, handwoven sari being sold just for a meagre ₹100, which shocked and upset her tremendously. Following the trail found on the label
The snow in the Himalayas dictates the intensity of the cold in North India but somehow the art and craft forms of the region seem to have had less of an impact on the rest of the country. I reckon it’s time to change this,
Indian elements …What does it even mean? For me, it personally means welcoming all guests with the most delicious warming cup of chai. Though, I suppose it does have a different meaning to different generations and of course, varies hugely across regions. A traditional Indian
We love real stories that revolve around empowering artisans, improving livelihoods and keeping the handcrafts alive. So, when we heard about Indra Cox and Paces Crafts, we had to share it with our lovely readers! Indra Cox at Paces Crafts believes that artisans are the real agents
It’s a new year, a new dawn and there are opportunities galore! India never sleeps and as festivals and celebrations mark the first month of the year, we notice the hustle-bustle in the artisan-craft-designer community; putting their work together to celebrate the craftsmanship and the
As 2017 draws to a close, I reflect on all my experiences and learnings from this year. What stands out most for me, is my renewed enthusiasm for the humble sari! Social media communities are lit up with colours and drapes of women, flaunting with
Hand-stitched clothes and knitted garments were the norm for us when we were growing up. It certainly wasn’t because of our mothers and grandmothers’ love for handmade, but that was how life simply was back then, for most of us. ‘Ready made’ aka machine-made was
Saving age-old traditions and crafts one day at a time, and showcasing them to the world is what Kuzu, the textile studio based in Gangtok, Sikkim, is focussing on. Karma Sonam Bhutia, a textile designer noticed skilled artisans trading their village life for the city.
Basketry is as old a craft as perhaps pottery, practised by communities across the world using a variety of techniques and an array of materials. A typical basket is made of grass, and tightly woven into beautiful patterns using bright colours. These baskets (and other
“If you invest in a woman you invest in a whole family. Women on Wings starts where others normally stop. Sharing knowledge and skills is just as important as micro-finance”, said Queen Máxima. The essence of empowering women lies in providing opportunities for education and
