The Handspun Community of Bengal

Handspun fabric is crafted by hand in village homes using cotton yarn spun on a traditional wheel, or charkha. This beautiful, eco-friendly fabric is woven with deep respect for nature and is versatile enough to be worn in both summer and winter.

Our work takes place in Murshidabad, West Bengal, where we collaborate with over 100 skilled artisans. Handspun fabric holds a special place in India’s history — it dates back to the time of Mahatma Gandhi, who encouraged Indians to spin and wear their own fabric as part of the Swadeshi Movement, promoting self-reliance and rejecting foreign-made textiles.

Impressions in Mud — The Dabu Tradition of Bagru

Dabu is a traditional mud-resist hand block printing technique practiced for generations by the Chhipa community in Bagru, Rajasthan. The process begins with preparing a mud paste made from clay, lime, gum, and wheat chaff, which is carefully applied to fabric using hand-carved wooden blocks.

Once the resist areas dry, the fabric is dipped in natural indigo or vegetable dyes, and after washing, the covered areas reveal beautiful, handmade patterns. Each piece carries the warmth of the desert, the rhythm of handwork, and the spirit of Rajasthan’s living craft heritage.

Sanganer & Bagru: Rajasthan’s Hand Block Legacy

Hand block printing is a centuries-old craft practiced in Sanganer and Bagru, Rajasthan. Using hand-carved wooden blocks, artisans print intricate motifs on fabric with natural dyes and pigments.We work closely with artisan families who continue this tradition, keeping alive the timeless beauty and heritage of Rajasthan’s hand printing craft.

The Art of Kalamkari

Kalamkari is a traditional hand-painted textile art from Andhra Pradesh. The word “Kalamkari” comes from “kalam” (pen) and “kari” (craft), referring to the hand-drawn designs created using a pen-like bamboo or date palm stick.

The process involves drawing intricate motifs on fabric with natural dyes, often depicting mythological stories, floral patterns, and traditional motifs. The art includes multiple steps: preparing the fabric, sketching designs, applying natural dyes, and washing the cloth to set the colors.

Artisans in Sri Kalahasti have preserved this centuries-old craft, combining precision, patience, and storytelling in every piece, keeping alive a living tradition of Indian textile heritage.