Indias’s True Threads: Rangsutra’s Ethical Elegance Crafting Changes
-by Vibhu Airan
Have you ever considered the profound impact a piece of fabric can have on preserving the soul of a nation? Many travellers across the world travelled to India and given our land many definitions. Famous American author Mark Twain, in his words, described our Bharat as ‘the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the grandmother of legend, and the great-grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured in India only. It sounds cliche, right? It is, but how do we embrace it? So what represents our culture? It’s our tradition and our art.
But with the moving times ahead, we also see it in the gallop of fashion trends. But some key social sector startups like ‘Rangsutra’ are still keeping our old entitlement alive by bringing handmade crafts from all around the country and creating sustainable livelihoods for highly skilled rural artisans in the heart of India.
Sumita Ghose’s Trailblazing Journey:
Sumita Ghose is a real trailblazer who has inspired the social sector as a whole and the spirit of entrepreneurship. With a degree in economics and working in rural communities trying to improve health education in Rajasthan. Facing personal challenges with even her husband being kidnapped, Did she succumb to despair? NO.
With all these tantrums she rolled up her sleeves by herself and dedicated her life to working for the rural artisans and restoring our old tradition to its original glory on the global stage.
Ghose, co-founder of the famous Indian ethnic wear brand Fabindia, started its retail chain, ‘RANGSUTRA’ a social enterprise to employ rural India and act as a link between the modern enigma of the cities and so with the fast fashion trend- a venture that turned out to be a success.
Rangsutra’s mission:
With the mission to be the ‘Go-To Serving as a catalyst for conscious craftsmanship, Rangsutra champions traditional art forms and rural livelihoods. In India that creates value for its stakeholders and creates a safe environment for all, The guiding principle for the company is ‘Respect for all — the producer, the shareholder, and the customer’. Every product of rangsutra is a story that sketches its own distinct story: the story of uprootedness, the story of migration, the story of a young mother’s love, and the story of every Indian Bharti nari.
Diverse Artistic Inspirations:
Rangsutra is a portrayal of a mother’s love that finds expression, not just a product to be sold.
The items mostly feature art from several places, including Kashmiri embroidery, Ralli, Applique, Basic Embroidery Stitches, Chikankari, and Desert Embroideries (Soof, Pakka, Kharek, Sindhi). The art of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Kashmir and Manipur are primarily included in their work.
Impact on Rural Artisans:
Can a venture launched in 2006 uplift highly skilled rural artisans hidden from the modern, fast-paced world? Since it’s inception, it has provided highly skilled rural artisans with sustainable means of subsistence. This project aims to lift them out of it by providing them with a market connection or by serving as a link between their independence and their traditions.
Partners like Fabindia and IKEA have helped the company reach out to artisans across the country and all the customers across the globe. This not only helps the start-up grow but also shows the nature of the Indian social enterprises and what level can be achieved through respect, leadership, and the entrepreneurial spirit some people have.
Explore Rangsutra’s Diverse Collections:
Rangsutra offers a wide range of collections, including Kurtis, sarees, shirts for men, scarves, masks, and other accessories. The list seems to go on forever, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian craftsmanship and traditions.
Personal Story of Empowerment:
As a story of Kamla Devi a resident of a village in Rajasthan has come out with her story and is proud to make her own money in her own words ’ We used to earn only INR 200–300 a month, working with local vendors. Now we make an average of INR 2,500–3,000 per month and if there is more work, we make more money. All the women in the village have decided to make their very own house they made with Rangasutra’.
“Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.” — Bill Cunningham
Call to Action:
Thus, to appreciate Indian creativity. Take a look through Rangsutra’s inventory and bring a bit of history home. Check out the handcrafted items right now to help maintain sustainable livelihoods. Therefore, by purchasing these goods, you are not only supporting the regional economy but also getting far better quality than any of the carefully chosen Chinese clothing that is frequently utilised today.
Conclusion:
Rangsutra’s unshakable goal has been the same over time: to become a community-owned, internationally acclaimed handcrafted crafts company. It painstakingly creates handcrafted, environmentally sustainable, ethically sourced items that defy conventional fashion standards while showcasing talent. By combining innovation and tradition, Rangsutra is leading the fashion industry through a historic shift that will pave the way for a more sustainable and conscientious future.
