Make way for handcrafted goodies by ‘craftepreneurs’

Aditi Prakash creates unusual textile bags. Clean, contemporary styling that recalls Indian design aesthetics are their striking feature. Aditi uses fabrics that have a story to tell – be it the gamcha from the Bihar, kitschy lungis from Hyderabad and Cochin, block printed ajrak from Bhuj, barmer and brocades from Varanasi. 

Sold under the label Pure Ghee, they are almost like a slice of our heritage. About 22 such young designers of garments, accessories, home décor and stationery are coming together for Craftepreneur by the The Crafts Council of India. 

The word ‘Craftepreneur’ was coined by CCI to identify an entrepreneur who has used a craft, either current or languishing and has given it a bold, contemporary feel, imagery and form. They have been organising the Craftepreneur exhibition to showcase the talent of young designers from across the country. 

“Craftepreneur is a play of words not just joining together craft and entrepreneur but also represents the deeper sense of entrepreneurs using the amazing diversity of Indian craft skills to fashion, embellish and express an array of products suited to contemporary needs and lifestyle. 

A host of ancient handcrafts have been used by the selected ‘Craftepreneurs’ who give them a contemporary twist and format to create classical, edgy and contemporary decorative, clothing, textile bags, jewellery, home decor products and home accents. 

Recyclable paper, metal, wood, etc., have also been used to create fantastic lifestyle products. In each of the attractive, aesthetically and craft driven products is woven the message of ecology, environment nurturing, revival of crafts and craft skills and the valve of hand skills as the country goes forward,” says Jayasri Samyukta Iyer, executive committee member of The Crafts Council of India. 

Many brands like Tree of Life by Nigarish, Shwet, Punarnawa, Asal, The Revival Project, Studio Kassa, Retyrement Plan, Organic Connect, Mahodari, Neon, Eclectic Elan are all part of the exhibition. “All of the 22 craftepreneurs nurture ancient skills and create products which are at once sustainable, eco-friendly and stylish,” she adds.