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A range of different craft styles, a plethora of talented artisans, and lush greenery all around – Shantiniketan easily inspired us. From colourful seeds which tribal women fashion into jewelry, to fine embroidery on luxurious silks.
Here craftsmen could bring out the best in just about any material. We couldn’t resist, we had to explore. With an aim to see a manifestation of our design aesthetic in these age-old crafts, the Abakash label was born in 2004. Hand-crafted from materials that are locally available, we try to tweak existing processes and bring about design innovation – in an endeavour to delight with each product.
Operating from a spacious yet cosy house in Purbapally, the Abakash label claims teamwork & an affinity for ones craft to be at its foundation. Allow us to elaborate on these ideals and introduce to you the teams that make up ‘Abakash’.
Design Team
Researching latest trends, expanding existing product categories and a continuous development of innovative design and pattern, this team is at the core of it all. From experimenting with different dyes to drawing out patterns on individual products, all is in a day’s work. An idea is born, a sample is developed, quality is thoroughly checked – finally all other units work toward the execution of the product.
Leather Unit
Whether a product is made just out of leather or it has only a strip, this team can deal with it all. Cutting, skiving, dyeing and stitching, these men do it all with just a cutter (used for skiving as well) & a foot pedalled sewing machine. After visiting the unit a visitor to the workshop once remarked “I didn’t know that handmade things were this hand made”.
Kantha Unit
A dedicated team of four, the women who work out in this unit not only excel in their craft but have also developed the skill of micromanagement. Allow us to elaborate. In addition to the work that they are allotted members of the team take work home as well and distribute it amongst other women in their village. One proud member states “It’s not just about me, its also about another 30 women whose salaries depend on me”. Each individual in the team has a distinctive style of their own that is easily recognisable, fabric truly is their canvas.
In addition to the aforementioned teams who work out of the same house, Abakash recognises artisans who truly are a cut above the rest. These craftsmen work out of home (as job workers) and create pieces designed by the label. A collection of weavers weave khesh and other cotton based fabrics. Tailors sew garments, home furnishing and cloth bags. Metal workers include artisans who specialize in dokra (lost wax bronze casting) as well wrought iron moulding. Wood carvers create trays, cutlery and showpieces using just the basic chisel and hammer. Tie dye and batik artisans who turn tiny doodles into intricately patterned yardage.
The talent and the skill that we find available at our disposal easily overwhelms. It becomes our task to ensure that the full potential and creativity of each individual is presented for the world to see.