Indie end, it matters

Artisans working with bamboo at Uravu, in Wayanad

Going south

A spice box by Uravu

Located in Wayanad, Kerala, Uravu established itself as an indigenous science and technology study centre in 1996. Throughout the years they've provided employment to rural communities in the region of Thrikkaipetta. The organisation specialises in creating bamboo-based products that are up for grabs on their website.

Tony Paul

"Wayanad being a tribal-dominant district, the initial idea was to protect and promote traditional systems. We began training programmes that were bamboo-based, but soon those who attended these programmes ended up staying with us permanently. They were women from economically tougher situations and the region being predominantly agriculture-based back then, it was tough," says CEO Tony Paul. Although the pandemic has been challenging for business, through their Green Kits campaign last year, they managed to stay afloat.
Log on to: uravu.in

Bamboo goodness

Zogam Bamboo Works, based in Manipur, works with bamboo, focusing on naturally made products. They make products like pens, decorative items, mobile handset stands, and more recently, bamboo tiffin boxes. Founder V Ginkhanpau started the venture after having undergone training in this field in the North East. "We focus on high-quality craftsmanship using locally available resources," he says. For Zogam, involving local craftsmanship is an important aspect of business. "Independent, small businesses like ours need support as we believe in the maximum use of local resources, promoting local talent and increasing livelihood opportunities of rural artisans and farmers," says Zogam representative Golan Naulak.
Log on to: Zogam

A tiffin box made by Zogam Bamboo Works

Bamboo Works on Facebook
Mithila makeover

Madhubani art has been around for ages, and Nepal-based handicraft store Mithila House aims to capture the essence of that craft through authentic handmade artwork, lamps and other artefacts. Their website showcases a variety of their work that can be bought online and delivered to your doorstep.
Log on to: mithilahouse.com

Keeping traditions alive

Jharkhand-based textile company Johargram, along with Srijan Handicrafts, has come up with a unique way to preserve the cultural and traditional costumes and outerwear of the tribes of the region - through handmade dolls. Many of these dolls depict scenes from daily lives of the tribes in the region, and showcase costumes from indigenous dance forms.
Log on to: @johargram on Instagram