200 Million Artisans

42 stalls. One unfortunate tragedy.

Two weeks later, the grief hasn’t settled and the rebuilding hasn’t finished. The communities, businesses, and organisations hit hardest- embroiderers from Kashmir, weavers from Karnataka, craftspeople who carry their entire livelihood bazaar to bazaar are still picking up the pieces.

Dastkar has held India’s craft economy together for 44 years. Their commitment to this ecosystem is what has inspired many of us to stand and build better; for, with, and from it. And this is us standing with them.

If you can, please donate to the Dastkar Relief Fund — link in our bio, QR on the post. No amount is too small. Every rupee goes directly to affected artisan groups and becomes part of something much larger than a single donation — the collective act of making sure that India’s craft economy, and the people who hold it together, don’t have to rebuild alone.

80G eligible.

42 stalls. One unfortunate tragedy.
Two weeks later, the grief hasn’t settled and the rebuilding hasn’t finished. The communities, businesses, and organisations hit hardest- embroiderers from Kashmir, weavers from Karnataka, craftspeople who carry their entire livelihood bazaar to bazaar are still picking up the pieces.
Dastkar has held India’s craft economy together for 44 years. Their commitment to this ecosystem is what has inspired many of us to stand and build better; for, with, and from it. And this is us standing with them.
If you can, please donate to the Dastkar Relief Fund — link in our bio, QR on the post. No amount is too small. Every rupee goes directly to affected artisan groups and becomes part of something much larger than a single donation — the collective act of making sure that India’s craft economy, and the people who hold it together, don’t have to rebuild alone.
80G eligible.

Every Women’s Day, we celebrate women. We post. We hashtag. We clap.

And then we go back to a world where millions of women who build entire economies with their businesses still can’t access a loan, a market, or a policy that sees them.
Women in the handmade sector aren’t on the margins of the economy. They are the economy. They grow it, sustain it, breathe life into it — enterprise by enterprise, craft by craft, 4am by 4am.

And the systems meant to support them? Still catching up. Still debating. Still treating their labour as a hobby, their businesses as a side hustle, their communities as a charity case.

200 million artisans.
Mostly women.
Mostly invisible to the policies and systems that could change everything.

This isn’t a gap in participation. This is a gap in recognition. In funding. In political will.
Women supporting women has always existed — in every village, every cooperative, every women-run business.
But sisterhood alone shouldn’t have to carry what systems refuse to.

So this Women’s Day — don’t just celebrate women. Demand better for them.

Ask why craft economies are excluded from serious investment.

Ask why women-led businesses have to justify their existence. Ask who benefits from keeping care work invisible.
The women are already doing the work. It’s time the world finally did its part.

KULA SATELLITE EVENT

Who says craft cannot offer immersive experiences? We’re partnering with local and national organizations to curate exclusive craft-based journeys for Kula Delegates before and after the Kula Conclave 2024.

THE EMBROIDERY TRAIL | JAIPUR

Embark on a journey through Jaipur’s rich embroidery heritage, where artisans continue age-old embellishment traditions like Gota Patti and Aari work — crafting intricate saris and poshaks once made for royal families, now reimagined for contemporary design.

This trail also offers an engaging interaction and presentation on Kheta embroidery, and explores Jaipur’s vibrant quilt-making legacy — from the beloved Jaipuri Razai to traditional Gudadi quilts, crafted with natural dyes and sustainable techniques. Through workshops, storytelling, and live demonstrations, discover how embroidery connects heritage, identity, and sustainability in modern design.

🗓️ Date: Nov 29, 30
🕙 Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
📍 Location: Jaipur
📌 Starting Point: Moti Doongri Rd, Gangawal Park, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur 302004
📍 End Point: C Scheme, Ashok Nagar, Jaipur 302001

Offered by Breakaway for Kula Delegates.
Point of Contact: Ms. Bindu MS
📩 [email protected]
| 📞 9310007855

Please note: These experiences aren’t offered by 200M but by the respective entity. Kindly reach out to them directly for further enquiries.

QUESTIONS THAT MATTER

How can all founders, regardless of gender, take responsibility for advancing gender equity in the handmade economy?

GENDER X INCLUSION
Inclusion isn’t just who’s in the room — it’s who leads, who’s heard, and whose experiences shape decisions. Yet, gender in entrepreneurship is still reduced to performative metrics, not the deeper shifts in mindsets, systems, and power.

At Kula Conclave ‘24, the session “Women for Women | A Gender-Lens Approach to Talking, Taking & Giving Money” reminded us of why we do what we do.

SO, HERE’S THE QUESTION
✅What does a truly gender-intentional investment strategy look like?
✅How do we move from ticking boxes to shifting norms?
✅How do male founders, funders, and decision-makers step up, not as allies, but as active co-creators of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems?

The handmade economy’s future depends on equity, not just opportunity.

YOUR THOUGHTS?
What would it take to make this shift? Tell us in the comments.

Everyone’s excited by the idea of “Craft x Innovation”, but when it comes to funding, the numbers tell a different story.

Most craft enterprises (91%) are open to funding but lack access, and even when they find it, 80% need patient capital to innovate, not 10x-ROI investment logic.

In the Creative Manufacturing & Handmade (CMH) sector, innovation isn’t a buzzword; it’s a lived reality. Craft-led enterprises constantly innovate across materials, markets, and models, while navigating decentralised production systems, complex value chains and the realities of informal work.

But capital often misses this.
Craft enterprises want funding, but don’t fit the unicorn-growth mould.

So here’s the question:

🔁 Can we reframe innovation to include craft?
💰 What would ecosystem-aligned capital really look like?
🌱 Are we funding what’s fast, or what lasts?

Know a craft-led enterprise pushing boundaries—in materials, processes, or models?

Tag them below and help spotlight the innovators redefining scale and success.

(Handmade, AI, Craft, MSMEs, Innovation)

CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER

This year at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI, five artisan-designer labels and alumni of Somaiya Kala Vidya brought the runway to life with a bold, homegrown vision of Indian fashion.

WHEN ARTISANS INNOVATORS TAKE THE LEAD

The spotlight was on artisan-led brands: Ajrakh Gharana by Zaid Khatri, Alaicha by Amruta Vankar, Elysian by Mubbasirah Khatri, Musk by Muskan Khatri and Neel Batik by Shakil Ahmed. For decades, artisans have carried Indian fashion on their backs while remaining invisible. This moment flipped the narrative. These were not artisans elevated by the runway; they were designers claiming the runway as theirs.

Perhaps it also marked a shift toward a more inclusive fashion ecosystem—one that broadened access to who gets to create and present. That evolution, in itself, represents a meaningful achievement.

A WIN FOR THE ECOSYSTEM

It was a win for everyone who has believed in long-term, community-rooted investment, from Amrita Somaiya and the .india team to institutions like that prioritise capacity building over charity, authorship over tokenism.

At 200 Million Artisans, we celebrate this moment, for what it means to build inclusive creative economies, where knowledge flows from the grassroots up, and artisans are not just part of the system, but a key stakeholder shaping it.

Image credits:

Follow the artisan-led brands here

KULA GOODIE BAG, A BAG FULL OF IMPACT

The Kula Goodie Bag was more than just a gift—it was a bag full of impact. A reflection of our mission at Kula Conclave 2024, each item embodied handmade craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation, telling the stories of 9 incredible craft-led enterprises from India. For our 220+ delegates, the Kula Goodie Bag was a tangible connection to the future of handmade we are building together.

Here’s what made it into the Kula Goodie Bag:

🎒 Tote Bag & Lanyards | Rangsutra Crafts India – Handwoven and crafted by artisan-led collectives, blending tradition with contemporary utility.

🕶️ Sunglasses Case | Rajiben Vankar with Kaarigar Clinic – A statement in sustainable design, upcycled from waste materials and crafted using traditional weaving techniques.

✨ Bag Charm | The Mango House – A tiny but powerful emblem of ethical fashion, crafted with care to carry a piece of purpose wherever you go.

✍️ Bamboo Pens | Uravu Labs India – Made from locally sourced bamboo, supporting rural livelihoods while promoting sustainable alternatives.

🎁 Potlis | Adivpure Nature – Handmade using natural dyes and organic fibers, carrying the essence of eco-conscious craftsmanship.

🥜 Malavankar Cashews | Zero Posro – Ethically sourced, chemical-free, and a bite-sized reminder of sustainable food systems.

💄 Lip Balm | The Lost Forest – Infused with wild-harvested ingredients, this balm is a celebration of forest-based livelihoods and clean beauty.

📖 Dokra Bookmarks | Miharu, Crafting an Impact – A tribute to the 4,000-year-old Dhokra metal casting tradition, handcrafted by artisan families from West Bengal, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh.

📓 Himroo Diary | LoomKatha – Showcasing the rich Himroo weaving heritage, crafted with sustainable materials and a deep respect for tradition.

The Kula Goodie Bag not only reached the hands of many in the Kula’24 Tribe but also found a special place in their hearts. A heartfelt thank you to all the craft-led enterprises that contributed to making this experience memorable for our delegates.

📌 Design Credit for Kula Goodie Bag: .in!

BROWN LIVING SHOP AT KULA CONCLAVE’ 24

As part of the incredible , we were proud to host Brown Living, India’s first planet-positive online platform! Their sustainable, vegan, and zero-waste products showcased how small, conscious choices can drive big impact. 💚

With Brown Lens©️ Certified products, carbon-neutral deliveries, and their mission to support 100,000 artisans, Brown Living is truly redefining eco-conscious living in India. Brown Living’s aim is to help the customers transition into an earth-friendly lifestyle at home or outside of the home. They would like to do this by supporting 100,000 artisans and enabling them and digitising them through our platform.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES FROM KULA CONCLAVE’24

▫️250+ Attendees: Ecosystem leaders, investors, and craft-led enterprises united.
▫️3 Dynamic Days: 16+ panels, 8+ workshops and more impact-driven dialogues
▫️ ₹1.3 Crore Capital Unlocked: Driving innovation across craft-led value chains.

For more visit: www.kulaconclave.com

INSTALLATIONS AT KULA CONCLAVE 2024
Explore the transformation of the craft sector through immersive installations under the theme “Innovation Futures for Climate and Inclusion.” These installations go beyond products and processes, addressing inclusivity, sustainability, and emerging market needs. Showcasing innovations across the entire farm-to-consumer value chain, they highlight the diverse potential of the craft sector to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

TERRACOTTA CHANGEMAKERS BY DOLON KUNDU & MEMERAKI
“Terracotta Changemakers” is a journey beyond cultural preservation, it is a narrative of social innovation, where art creates impact. Crafted by the budding artisan entrepreneur Dolon Kundu, this installation showcases the transformative power of clay—both as a medium of creative expression and as a metaphor for empowerment. At the heart of this installation stands a magnificent large-scale sculpture of Goddess Durga, embodying strength and resilience and representing the profound creative power of its maker. Beyond its visual allure, this installation tells the story of women whose potential, much like clay, is shaped through the right support and mentorship.

MeMeraki hopes to raise ₹4.5 Lacs from Kula Conclave for Dolon Kundu’s NGO Maarttikee’s building construction completion which is partly funded by IIFL Home Loan, to train and empower 250 local women in the art of clay moulding (pinch pottery) and leading them to economic independence. Support her mission by donating directly to her NGO and proudly wear a terracotta band as a symbol of your commitment to this meaningful cause.

ABOUT MEMERAKI
MeMeraki is India’s first culture-tech platform, offering the largest collection of traditional artworks while scouting & empowering artisans like Dolon Kundu. An award-winning entrepreneur, Dolon has reinvented terracotta craft through her unique ‘Pinch Pottery’ style, to create contemporary art.

MeMeraki | Yosha Gupta

Visit MeMeraki’s Website to learn more-
https://lnkd.in/gDiB5bUA

Connect with Dolan Kundu-
https://lnkd.in/gFDUbK2Q

INSTALLATIONS AT KULA CONCLAVE 2024
Explore the transformation of the craft sector through immersive installations under the theme “Innovation Futures for Climate and Inclusion.” These installations go beyond products and processes, addressing inclusivity, sustainability, and emerging market needs. Showcasing innovations across the entire farm-to-consumer value chain, they highlight the diverse potential of the craft sector to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

PRACHEEN BY AADYAM HANDWOVEN

Pracheen is a textile atelier dedicated to preserving the art of handloom textiles, offering a curated collection of timeless masterpieces co-created with India’s exceptionally skilled artisans. The atelier is dedicated to enhancing the artisans’ skills while positively impacting their lives, embodying a unique approach to socio-cultural innovation.Through these museum-worthy pieces, which embody the essence of Living Art. Pracheen seeks to showcase the remarkable work of the country’s most talented artisans. By setting new standards for quality and design, these textiles are elevated to the status of fine art.

To further this mission, Pracheen invites like-minded partners to collaborate and help extend this initiative to cities across India.

ABOUT AADYAM HANDWOVEN

Aadyam Handwoven is Aditya Birla Group’s social initiative dedicated to empowering weaver communities across India. Our vision is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for the country’s finest artisans by supporting, promoting, and selling their crafts, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods and quality of life.