Our Clusters
At Rangsutra, we prioritise cluster development as a vital process and visualize it as the very foundation of our work. Training and other activities are designed keeping in mind two primary objectives: increasing income for rural artisan communities and keeping the traditional craft alive. Regular workshops are conducted for skill upgradation, understanding production processes, quality control, market linkages, governing their own enterprise etc.
These workshops help them to develop an understanding on ways to access superior materials, equipment, and working capital so that their producer collectives maintain a standardized approach while working on orders from buyers. This pedagogy, inclusive of product development and operations management, is what helps level the playing field for rural artisan communities, most of whom lack access to formal education or vocational training.
Noorbagh, Kashmir
Noor Bagh or the Garden of Light is part of the Downtown area of Srinagar.
RangSutra began working in Noorbagh in August 2018 with the goal of creating and incubating a sustainable crafts enterprise that could rehabilitate families affected by the floods of 2014. The Jammu Tawi Flood Recovery Project supported by the World Bank has provided much needed opportunity for the Noorbagh community to get organized, overcome challenges, build resilience and start crafting a new life. Through the various interactive workshops to hone existing craft skills, learn new ones, develop creative skills, the initiative is gradually taking the shape of an organization.
Bandipora , Kashmir
Bandipora district is located on the northern banks of Lake Wullar – the largest fresh water lake in Asia
Bandipora cluster is home both to sheep rearing, and to rich craft skills that have grown around wool as the raw material. It is famous for its tweed and kaani weaving. Rangsutra began working in Bandipora Wool Cluster in 2020. The Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) is an integrated cluster development project seeking to restore and strengthen livelihoods of artisans affected by the 2014 floods that ravaged the area. Rangsutra has been working with local artisans to build a resilient and dynamic producer company that will capitalize on local resources and skills, be able to secure order from the local, national and global markets, and execute them successfully.
Hardoi , Uttar Pradesh
Hardoi is a district in UP which specialises in the craft of Chikankari.
Majority of the Chikankari work from Lucknow is outsourced to the women artisans in the villages of Hardoi. Due to low wages paid by traders and middlemen, the quality of work however, is usually poor. Rangsutra began work in the villages of Hardoi in 2019-2020. The project supported by HCL Foundation aims to mobilize, train, upgrade skills and empower 200 women in Chikankari embroidery. Through skill upgradation workshops women had the opportunity to learn, embroider and earn. The women come to village centres in Ritthwa, Salempur and Akbarpur Talu to embroider. Today, the quality of the embroidery has improved remarkably and women earn a decent wage for their work. With regular work and income, the women have been motivated to open bank accounts. The women are now members of the Samuday Seva Shakti Samiti, an initiative of HCL Foundation and enjoy being part of a major craft centre.
Rangsutra continues to work with Samuday, designing new products and placing orders for Chikankari embroidery
Our Clusters
At Rangsutra, we prioritise cluster development as a vital process and visualize it as the very foundation of our work. Training and other activities are designed keeping in mind two primary objectives: increasing income for rural artisan communities and keeping the traditional craft alive. Regular workshops are conducted for skill upgradation, understanding production processes, quality control, market linkages, governing their own enterprise etc.
These workshops help them to develop an understanding on ways to access superior materials, equipment, and working capital so that their producer collectives maintain a standardized approach while working on orders from buyers. This pedagogy, inclusive of product development and operations management, is what helps level the playing field for rural artisan communities, most of whom lack access to formal education or vocational training.
Noorbagh, Kashmir
Noor Bagh or the Garden of Light is part of the Downtown area of Srinagar.
RangSutra began working in Noorbagh in August 2018 with the goal of creating and incubating a sustainable crafts enterprise that could rehabilitate families affected by the floods of 2014. The Jammu Tawi Flood Recovery Project supported by the World Bank has provided much needed opportunity for the Noorbagh community to get organized, overcome challenges, build resilience and start crafting a new life. Through the various interactive workshops to hone existing craft skills, learn new ones, develop creative skills, the initiative is gradually taking the shape of an organization.
- 600 women artisans mobilized
- 300 women artisans trained
- Noorari Producer Company Formed
- Excellent Market Linkages
Bandipora , Kashmir
Bandipora district is located on the northern banks of Lake Wullar – the largest fresh water lake in Asia
Bandipora cluster is home both to sheep rearing, and to rich craft skills that have grown around wool as the raw material. It is famous for its tweed and kaani weaving. Rangsutra began working in Bandipora Wool Cluster in 2020. The Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) is an integrated cluster development project seeking to restore and strengthen livelihoods of artisans affected by the 2014 floods that ravaged the area. Rangsutra has been working with local artisans to build a resilient and dynamic producer company that will capitalize on local resources and skills, be able to secure order from the local, national and global markets, and execute them successfully.
- Skill upgradation workshops
- Quality control trainings
- Bandipura Weavers Producer Company Ltd
- Excellent Market Linkages
Hardoi , Uttar Pradesh
Hardoi is a district in UP which specialises in the craft of Chikankari.
Majority of the Chikankari work from Lucknow is outsourced to the women artisans in the villages of Hardoi. Due to low wages paid by traders and middlemen, the quality of work however, is usually poor. Rangsutra began work in the villages of Hardoi in 2019-2020. The project supported by HCL Foundation aims to mobilize, train, upgrade skills and empower 200 women in Chikankari embroidery. Through skill upgradation workshops women had the opportunity to learn, embroider and earn. The women come to village centres in Ritthwa, Salempur and Akbarpur Talu to embroider. Today, the quality of the embroidery has improved remarkably and women earn a decent wage for their work. With regular work and income, the women have been motivated to open bank accounts. The women are now members of the Samuday Seva Shakti Samiti, an initiative of HCL Foundation and enjoy being part of a major craft centre.
Rangsutra continues to work with Samuday, designing new products and placing orders for Chikankari embroidery
- Regular work for 200 women artisans
- Higher wages and better working conditions