Colourful metalware, ethnic weaves and more

METALWARE IN MANY SHAPES AND COLOURS

Chinar Valley Arts is a home décor enterprise founded by 30 artisans, some of whom have disabilities. Their products include hand-painted steel jugs, enamelware bowls, teapots, cutlery and trinket boxes. Stainless steel glasses with attractive nature-based designs are one of their best-selling creations. Also available are quaint letter racks as well as traditional coaster sets made from papier mâché.

Other useful gifts are their upcycled vibrant ottles and flasks to carry on the go, which are their speciality. There are also chain-stitch embroidered stoles. Chinar Valley’s range of colourful handicrafts can be found at their permanent shop in Nature Bazaar and on Instagram. Orders should be placed at least a week prior to your desired delivery date, within India. Chinar Valley Arts ships worldwide.

Contact: Saqib Khan: +917006758733

Email: chinarvalleyarts@outlook.com

Instagram: @chinarvalleyarts

Store: Shop No. 35, Nature Bazaar, Andheria Modh, New Delhi

 

NEEDLE WORK FROM KASHMIR 

Zahida Amin founded Naie Kiran as a livelihood programme for women at a time when militancy was at its peak in Baramulla district of Kashmir. She engaged local women in traditional hand printing and embroidery to help them become economically self-sufficient.

The group now provides employment to almost 70 women in four villages of the Valley.  Despite curfews, opposition from conservative male members, and violence, the team members have held together.

Naie Kiran offers Kashmiri embroidery or Kashidakari, hand printing and Sozni embroidery on fabrics like wool, Tussar, Maheshwari, Chanderi and more to make saris, dupattas, shawls, stoles, phirans and kurtas. The women travel to bazaars and exhibitions all over the country to display and market their creations.

The Naie Kiran stall at Dastkar was colourful and the distinct phiran designs could be spotted a mile away! They are a phone call away.

Contact: Zahida: +917051062435 Punit: +917289028384

Email: amizahida@yahoo.com

 

FROM KUTCH TO PARIS

Vankar Hitesh Dayalal is an acclaimed weaver from Bhujodi village in Kutch. He sets up shop regularly at the Dastkar bazaar where he sells colourful and intricately designed stoles, dupattas, saris and shawls. “Our village has more than 300 skilled weavers. In fact, we have received 11 national awards for our work,” he says, proudly. The Kutch technique incorporates weaving with embroidery and ornamental elements.

Bhujodi is Dayalal’s maternal village, where he shifted with his mother after his father passed away. Inspired by his uncle, he began learning the Kutch technique of weaving and even enrolled in an artisans’ design school.

Dayalal is best known for his innovative ways of incorporating contemporary elements into traditional Kutch weaving. In July 2023, he participated in an event in Paris to showcase his products. He has partnered established fashion designers to design clothes that have been  launched at fashion shows in Mumbai. You can enquire about his products by giving him a call or connecting with him on WhatsApp.

Contact: Vankar Hitesh Dayalal: +919978255091

Email: hiteshvankar1212@gmail.com

 

SARIS AND MORE AT LIVING LOOMS 

Living Looms of India is an initiative by ACCESS, a national livelihoods support organization that works with the government, NGOs and the corporate sector to revive and promote traditional handicrafts.

Products on offer include saris — Baluchari, Kota Doria, Maheshwari and Ikat — as well as cotton and silk dupattas, stoles, kurtis and kurta-pyjama sets. You can also buy home décor products such as elegant bed linen, cushion covers, table runners, napkins and curtains.

The key objective is to give weavers and artisans an opportunity to hone their skills, develop a competitive edge and ensure they get value for their work. It is a community-led enterprise that enables customers to buy directly from the weavers.

You can shop on their website or visit their store in Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi.

Contact: WhatsApp: +918955680274

Email: livingloomsofindia21@gmail.com

Website: www.livingloomsofindia.com

Store: 22, Ground floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi