Textiles & Handicraft Consultant

A Life Woven with Craft

Craft has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember. With over 45 years of hands-on experience in Indian handloom and handicrafts, I’ve seen this rich heritage thrive, evolve, and at times, struggle. Through it all, craft has remained my purpose and inspiration.

My journey began in childhood, and a pivotal moment came when I met Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the legendary force behind the revival of many Indian craft traditions and the establishment of the Government Handicrafts Board and the Crafts Council of India. Her passion and vision deeply influenced me and set me on a lifelong path of working with artisans and weavers across the country.

At the age of ten, I began retailing handmade products at the Festival of India in London—my first experience with the international craft market. Over the years, this early exposure expanded into a rich career across both domestic and global platforms. I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by Mrs. Ruby Palchoudhuri, then Secretary of the Crafts Council of West Bengal, whose guidance transformed my interest into a true vocation.

Under her mentorship, I grew into a respected merchandiser, collaborating with leading NGOs and corporate houses such as SASHA, The Crafts Council of India (Kamala), Amethyst Chennai, and the Aditya Birla Group. I’ve curated exhibitions across India, including the acclaimed Khadi–Muslin Jamdani showcase at Artisan Gallery, Kala Ghoda, and a dedicated exhibit on Assamese textiles.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of working with some of the most respected names in the industry—Anuradha Pegu, Biren Basak, Kiran Rao, Brigette Silberstein, Gulshan Nanda, Laila Tyabji, Mahamaya Sikdar, Vishal Bhand, Lipi Biswas, Gita Ram, and Mrs. Kasturi Gupta Menon, to name a few. Each collaboration has taught me something invaluable—whether in quality control, design aesthetics, visual merchandising, or the most important lesson of all: building lasting, respectful relationships with artisans.

Craft is not just my work—it's my life’s calling.