India’s craft landscape is astonishingly diverse — from the fine muslins of Bengal and the block-printed chintzes of Gujarat to the intricate shawls of Kashmir and the terracotta traditions of many villages. For centuries these art forms traveled along maritime and overland trade routes: Indian calicos and chintzes reshaped European fashion in the 17th–18th centuries, Kashmir shawls inspired the Paisley motif in Scotland, and Indian temple art and iconography helped shape monumental architecture across Southeast Asia (think Angkor’s Hindu imagery and Buddhist sites influenced by Indian forms). Techniques and patterns also crossed borders — Indian block-printing and resist-dye ideas blended with local practices in places like Java and Sumatra, creating new regional textiles. These journeys remind us that craft is living conversation — ever-moving, adapting, and connecting communities across the world.

Over time the market value and everyday visibility of many Indian crafts have slipped — crowded out by industrial production, cheap machine-made copies, and shrinking access to markets — so beautiful skills often go unnoticed or undervalued. We’re not here to “rescue” anyone; rather, Handmade Tales partners with makers to restore recognition and fair value for their work by curating thoughtful product stories, adapting traditional techniques for modern homes, and opening honest market access. By showcasing craft with respect and good design, we help these art forms find appreciative audiences again, placing them where they belong: on the stage, not the sidelines.

 Saranya Padmanabhan - Founder - The Handmade Tales