By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Tariq Ahmad Mir, the founder of Special Hands of Kashmir, who has turned personal adversity into a story of resilience and empowerment. Despite being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age, Tariq has not only overcome significant physical challenges but has also emerged as a…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Anitha N, an artist and curator based in Bengaluru, who works within the traditional textiles skills with the Siddi community in northern Karnataka. Over the past eight years, she has worked closely with Siddi women, focusing on the revival of the ancient quilting art known as…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Chitrakathi is an ancient folk art tradition that dates back to the 17th century in Maharashtra, India. Originating from the village of Pinguli, Chitrakathi combines storytelling with beautiful paintings to bring tales to life. This unique art form has been passed down through generations, keeping the…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 The copper bell-making tradition of Kutch, primarily upheld by the Muslim Lohar community, is a case study to the enduring relationship between craftspeople and the pastoralist communities they serve. These bells, originally crafted for livestock, have evolved over time to become decorative items for homes, musical…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Tholu Bommalata, a traditional leather puppetry art from Nimmalakunta, Andhra Pradesh, has undergone a transformation, evolving into modern interior design. This art form involves creating intricate items from goat leather, utilising natural dyes and traditional tools. Artisans in Nimmalakunta use these techniques to produce a variety…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Jabbar Khatri, a skilled artisan from Nirona in Kutch, Gujarat, is dedicated to preserving the traditional Rogan art, a craft that has been passed down through generations in his family. This intricate art form, which involves painting on fabric using a thick paste made from castor…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Amrapari (We Can) is a women’s collective established during the COVID-19 pandemic to create sustainable livelihoods for char-chapori women in Assam. These women, many of whom were daily wage earners working in fisheries, agriculture, and brick kilns, found themselves suddenly without work due to the lockdown.…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 Craftick, a brand established in 2014, represents an evolution in the domain of traditional Tilla embroidery, a craft rooted in the cultural heritage of Kashmir, a craft native to its citizens, a craft that adorns and reflects the beauty of Kashmir in each metallic thread. The…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 The vibrancy in the traditional Indian textiles had always been attributed to diversity, with each region bringing their own colors, patterns, and techniques. A further extension of this was seen in modern times, as many found contemporary and sustainable means to contribute to the handloom and…
By Digital Empowerment Foundation Published on: August 23, 2024 India’s artisan community, numbering over 200 million, surpasses the population of all but six countries worldwide. This vast republic of artisans constitutes a pillar of India’s cultural and economic heritage, enriching traditions through diverse crafts and practices. The handloom industry, with 23.77 lakh looms and employing…