Chanakya Celebrates 40 Years of Indian Craft

Chanakya, a renowned Indian textile and embroidery atelier in Byculla, Mumbai, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with three unique exhibitions across the city. The atelier, which has worked with over 50 global luxury brands including Dior, Prada, and Fendi, is showcasing its work across fashion, education, research, artistic collaboration, and the evolving language of textile-making.

The exhibitions, En Route at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Garden of Gestures at the Chanakya Ateliers, and Belong at Experimenter Colaba, feature a range of craft forms such as basketry, knotting, coiling, herringbone and twill weaving, beading, and embroidery techniques. The exhibitions include a garden of flowers reinterpreted as ensembles, globes depicting rivers, lakes, homes and the zodiac, and towering Saptamatrika sculptures, handwoven entirely from bamboo, raffia, and cotton.

Chanakya was founded in 1986 by Vinod Shah, and is now spearheaded by his daughter, Karishma Swali, who is the Creative Director of Chanakya International and the Chanakya School of Craft. Swali is instrumental in making Chanakya a renowned force in global creative art and couture, and is championing the brilliance of Indian craft. The Chanakya Foundation and School of Craft, which trains and empowers women artisans, is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The exhibitions feature collaborations with international designers, including Maria Grazia Chiuri, chief creative officer of Fendi. En Route, which was first commissioned for the Vatican Apostolic Library in 2025, is making its India debut and features five embroidered maps and two hand-crafted globes that trace six pioneering 19th-century women travellers.

The exhibitions are a testament to Chanakya's commitment to preserving and promoting Indian craft and textile heritage. As Swali said at the official unveiling, 'For us, when we were talking about what it would mean to celebrate 40 years, one of the first ideas or themes was really for the people of Mumbai to experience craft and textile and what making in India has been.'

The exhibitions will run from September 8 to October 20 at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, September 9 to 30 at the Chanakya Ateliers, and September 10 to October 17 at Experimenter Colaba. They are a must-visit for anyone interested in Indian craft, textile, and fashion.

The milestone is a significant one for Chanakya, marking 40 years of excellence in Indian craft and textile. The atelier's work has been recognized globally, and its commitment to empowering women artisans has made a significant impact on the industry.

In conclusion, Chanakya's 40th anniversary celebrations are a testament to the atelier's dedication to preserving and promoting Indian craft and textile heritage. The exhibitions are a must-visit for anyone interested in Indian craft, textile, and fashion, and showcase the atelier's commitment to excellence and innovation.

The celebrations also highlight the importance of empowering women artisans and preserving traditional craft forms. As Swali said, 'We want to make sure that the people of Mumbai experience craft and textile and what making in India has been.' The exhibitions are a significant step towards achieving this goal, and will help to promote Indian craft and textile heritage globally.

Overall, Chanakya's 40th anniversary celebrations are a significant milestone for the atelier, and a testament to its commitment to excellence, innovation, and preserving Indian craft and textile heritage.