Kalapuri

Kalapuri.com is a step towards reviving Indian handicrafts and the artisans making these handicrafts. It's a brave initiative taken by Mrs. Aaparna A. Bagal-Chavan and Mr. Aatish S. Chavan to connect with different dimensions of indigenous handmade products and cherish each and every aspect of their tradition. Kalapuri.com is a socio-economic venture providing an online marketplace for promoting, selling and buying of Indian handicrafts along with a vision of improving and upgrading the artisan's skills and their life. The journey of Kalapuri began in late 2014 with Aaparna at the driving seat after her successful startup's women's cottage and WomensTrendz.com specializing in women's ethnic clothing products and women empowerment. The entire team of Kalapuri is dedicated towards this cause with “Reviving Indian Handicrafts” and artisans as its main motto". Kalapuri.com closely trains and employs artisans. In an industry where more than 90% of the artisans are women, many of Kalapuri's products have been handcrafted by women artisans. Proceeds from the sale of Kalapuri.com products go into the design and production of more innovative products while striving to keep the craftswomen employed. In recent times though, Kolhapuri Chappals craft has been dying a slow death. The major factors have been the lack of innovation in design and the Chinese invasion of mass-manufactured, cheaper look-alikes. While there have been designing interventions in the past. However, few have ensured sustainable work for these craftspeople. The attempt has been to reorient the craft to the modern context by ensuring that each design has a utilitarian value and an aesthetic value. The result is a series of products in the lifestyle space that has showcased the adaptability of this traditional heritage.