Social Impact through uplifting craft over 40 years in the Handicraft Sector
For four decades, Sandur Kendra has been a beacon of empowerment, sustainability, and cultural preservation in India’s handicraft sector. By nurturing traditional art forms such as Sandur Lambani Embroidery, Cane and Bamboo, Natural Dyeing, Block Printing, Stone Carving, and the Khadi Industry, the organization has created significant social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Sandur Kendra believes that for these crafts to thrive and endure, they must be made economically viable, ensuring artisans can sustain their livelihoods while preserving their cultural heritage. To uphold this principle, Kendra has undertaken dedicated efforts to promote sustainable practices, enhance market access, and provide skill development, ensuring the economic vitality and longevity of these traditional crafts.
Empowering Artisans and Communities
Economic Upliftment
The organization has provided sustainable livelihoods to thousands of artisans, many of whom are women, by training artisans in Sandur Lambani embroidery a vibrant, intricate textile art practiced by the Lambani tribe and connecting them to national and international markets, it has ensured fair wages and economic independence. Similarly, the khadi industry, rooted in self-reliance, has revived rural economies by promoting hand-spun and hand-woven textiles, creating jobs for spinners and weavers.
Cane and bamboo crafts, often practiced by tribal communities, have been modernized through design interventions, enabling artisans to create marketable products like furniture and home décor. Stone carving, a labor-intensive craft, has provided employment to skilled workers in regions rich in stone resources, while block printing and natural dyeing have empowered artisans with eco-friendly skills in high demand globally.
Women’s Empowerment
A significant portion of the organization’s impact lies in empowering women, who form the backbone of crafts like Lambani embroidery, block printing, and khadi production. By offering training, flexible work opportunities, the Kendra has enabled women to become breadwinners, fostering gender equality and financial autonomy. This isn't just about income, for the long-standing staff, many of whom have dedicated their lives to the Kendra, it's about cultivating a deep sense of belonging and purpose, transforming their lives with meaningful work.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The organization has played a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s rich cultural heritage by reviving and promoting traditional crafts. Sandur Lambani Embroidery, with its distinctive mirror work and colorful patterns, is a living testament to the Lambani tribe’s identity. By documenting techniques and training younger generations, Sandur Kendra ensures this art form thrives. Similarly, stone carving, rooted in ancient Indian architecture, and block printing, with its regional motifs, have been preserved through sustained efforts.
The Khadi Industry, a symbol of India’s freedom struggle, has been revitalized as a sustainable and ethical fashion choice, appealing to modern consumers. Cane and bamboo crafts, integral to tribal lifestyles, have been reimagined for contemporary markets, ensuring their relevance. Natural dyeing, using plant-based dyes, preserves indigenous knowledge while promoting eco-conscious practices. Through these initiatives, Sandur Kendra continues to champion the economic viability and cultural significance of India’s traditional crafts.
Environmental Sustainability
Our commitment to environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in traditional Indian practices that respect nature and minimize waste. We proudly incorporate eco-conscious methods across our processes.
Natural Dyeing Practices
We prioritize the use of natural dyes derived from plants, minerals, and insects, avoiding the harsh chemicals found in synthetic dyes. Some of our most used natural dyes include:
- Madder root (Manjistha) – used for rich reds and pinks.
- Pomegranate rind and myrobalan (Haritaki) – for soft yellows and greys.
- Turmeric, marigold petals, and eucalyptus bark – for earthy tones.
Khadi: Handspun, Handwoven, Low-Impact
Khadi is not just a fabric, it's a movement. It is handspun and handwoven using traditional charkhas, requiring no electricity or mechanized processes. This results in minimal carbon footprint, reduced water usage compared to mill-made fabrics, employment for rural artisans, especially women, in a sustainable economy.
We support Khadi to promote slow fashion and preserve artisanal livelihoods while protecting the environment.
Lambani Embroidery: Circularity Through Cut Pieces
Our Lambani artisans uphold the values of reuse and recycling. Traditionally, Lambani embroidery is done using scraps and cut pieces of fabric, these leftover textiles are transformed into beautiful, vibrant patchwork using mirrors, threads, beads, and coins. No piece of fabric is wasted, each tells a story through handcrafted embellishment. This approach celebrates zero-waste design, promoting creativity without contributing to landfills.
Skill Development and Education
Over the past four decades, the Kendra has been a vibrant centre for learning, skill-building, and community empowerment. Committed to preserving traditional knowledge while responding to contemporary needs, we have conducted a wide range of training programs, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities that have touched thousands of lives. These programs are designed to be inclusive and context-specific, ensuring that the knowledge shared is both practical and deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the communities we work with.
Workshops and live demonstrations have played a key role in our approach to knowledge transmission. These sessions offer participants the chance to learn directly from master artisans and practitioners, gaining not just technical skills but also a deep appreciation for the cultural and ecological significance of traditional practices. By opening up these learning spaces, we aim to bridge generations and connect heritage crafts with modern sensibilities.
The Kendra also has provided internship program, welcoming students, researchers, and professionals from across India. Interns engage in hands-on fieldwork, documentation, and collaborative learning with artisans and community members. These immersive experiences encourage critical thinking, cross-cultural dialogue, and a grounded understanding of sustainability and social impact.
Through these sustained efforts, the Kendra continues to nurture not just skilled hands, but informed, inspired minds dedicated to building a more just and sustainable future.
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