Today, on Voices For Local, we dive into the world of leather with Smriti Sain, the Founder & Creative Lead at Chiaroscuro, that makes pure leather bags and accessories. Smriti tells Monisha about their one maker, one product philosophy, using upcycled, ethical leather from tanneries across the country to reduce wastage, and the challenges of working in a male dominated industry. To check out Chiaroscuro’s work, log onto chiaroscuro.in or follow their journey on Instagram @chiaroscurobags. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Voices for Local with Monisha Singh Katial

Smriti Sain (Chiaroscuro)

On this episode of Voices For Local, Monisha speaks to the CEO of handloom luxury brand Ekaya, Palak Shah, who comes from generations in the textile industry. She tells us how her family has maintained close relationships with weavers and their families for generations, how she maintains the balance between customer demands and showcasing her own creativity, how to promote traditional fabrics to younger consumers, and innovating with a young team to promote an age-old artform. To check out Ekaya’s work, log onto www.ekaya.in or follow their journey on Instagram @ekayabanaras. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Palak Shah (Ekaya)

Today’s episode of Voices For Local features a very special story from the small town of Bhujodi, one of the major textile and craft centres of the Bhuj region in Kutch. Here, Ashok Siju, brings together his family heritage of weaving with his newfound love for indigo dyeing. He tells Monisha about how he got into natural dyes, the process of indigo harvesting & dyeing, putting fabric & stitch quality first while creating hand-stitched indigo-dyed clothes, and how he uses social media to keep the indigo dyeing tradition alive by encouraging people to try it out themselves.   To check out Jeevan Indigo’s work, visit their Instagram handle @jeevan_indigo_clothing and follow Ashok’s indigo journey on Instagram @siju_7. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram.   CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Ashok Siju (Jeevan Indigo)

The guest on this episode of Voices For Local chose to follow her passion of showcasing the weaves of her home state Assam to the world, in turn giving local weavers the opportunity to earn a livelihood. Shravanti Borah speaks to Monisha about her brand Enajori, her fascination with the thread and the sound of the looms, the significance of weaving in Assamese society, how the pandemic forced weavers to find other sources of income, protecting the age-old tradition of weaving, and how international buyers understand the value of handmade weaves. To check out Enajori’s work, log onto enajori.co.in or follow their journey on Facebook. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Shravanti Borah (Enajori)

Today, on Voices For Local, Monisha gets in conversation with Himani Mantri Grover, the founder of a design studio that specializes in heirloom jewellery conservation, and handcrafted bespoke jewellery. Himani opens up about getting inspired by her own family heritage, how her brand name is a symbol for Indian romanticism, how stores originally didn’t want to stock her jewellery because of its “imperfections”, why she considers old coins more precious than any gemstones, and how she doesn’t impose her style onto her karigars. To check out Chicory Chai’s work, log onto www.chicorychai.com or follow their journey on Instagram @chicorychai. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Himani Mantri Grover (Chicory Chai)

Today, on Voices For Local, Monisha talks to Kushal and Anjum Mahajan, who run one of the most popular jutti stores in Amritsar – Raunak Punjabi Jutti. They tell us about the 20-year legacy of this family business, their plans of expanding online, and how they keep the traditional jutti always fresh and on-trend. To check out Raunak Punjabi Jutti’s work, follow their journey on Instagram @raunakstore. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Kushal and Anjum Mahajan (Raunak Punjabi Jutti)

On today’s episode of Voices For Local, Monisha talks to Arundathi about her creation Studio Beej, a conscious accessories brand. Arundhati tells us how the seeds of her brand were sown by a Google search following a trip to Europe, how her karigars adapted to materials they’d never worked with before, the importance of being transparent about their footprint, and how she doesn’t like to use the buzzword “sustainable” while talking about Beej, instead promoting the brand as conscious and mindful. To check out Studio Beej’s work, log onto studiobeej.com or follow their journey on Instagram @studiobeej. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Arundhati Kumar (Studio Beej)

Our journey across the country to meet the Voices For Local is taking a quick pit stop, but don’t you worry– we’ll be back before you know it! Until then, don’t forget to support your local brands this holiday season. Happy shopping! Voices For Local will return on January 6th. To keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Happy Holidays!

On this episode of Voices For Local, we’re going to celebrate a brand that makes the sari an effortless style statement. Monisha chats with the founder of Hathkargha, Shubha Mutneja, about how she went from never being exposed to everyday sari-wearing to being passionate about saris and textiles, what the brand name means to her, not really using social media marketing shortcuts or strategies, and using all her savings to support her weavers during the pandemic. To check out Hathkargha’s work, log onto www.hathkargha.in or follow their journey on Instagram @hathkargha. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Shubha Mutneja (Hathkargha)

On today’s episode of Voices For Local, we get insights from Shravan Satyani, Director at Satyani Fine Jewels and Tyaani Fine Jewellery, on the constant innovation it takes to make sought after jewellery, the importance of personal customer relationships and trust in the jewellery business, his efforts to transform and revive the obsolete “thappa jewellery” artform, exploring men’s jewellery, and collaborating with Karan Johar. Check out Satyani Fine Jewels on Instagram @satyanifinejewels & to take a look at Tyaani Fine Jewellery’s work, visit tyaani.com. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Shravan Satyani (Satyani Fine Jewels and Tyaani Fine Jewellery)

Today, on Voices For Local, founder of Khara Kapas Shilpi Yadav shares with us how she built a brand that embodies comfort, style, sustainability, all woven together in pure cotton. Shilpi talks about how she designed her own wedding outfit in cotton, how she feels being a working mom positively impacts her son, and managing crisis situations as a woman in a male-dominated industry. To check out Khara Kapas’ work, log onto www.kharakapas.com or follow their journey on Instagram @kharakapas. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Shilpi Yadav (Khara Kapas)

On today’s episode of Voices For Local, we have Founder & Creative Head of Studio Metallurgy – Advaeita Mathur. She shares how she took her love for metal and unconventional materials, and set up a brand that creates contemporary jewellery, accessories and home decor that celebrate individuality. Advaeita also lets us in on some marketing strategies, her secrets of brand building, and maintaining a strong customer base.  To check out Studio Metallurgy’s work, log onto www.studiometallurgy.com or follow their journey on Instagram @studio.metallurgy. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Advaeita Mathur (Studio Metallurgy)

On this episode of Voices For Local, Monisha Singh Katial talks to celebrity designer and stylist Nafisa Rachel William. Nafisa tells us about her journey from draping her friends in saris when she was younger, to creating her own label. We also talk to her about her native Dogra design, her love of Bollywood, and how her passion for the sari as a garment came together to make what Label Nafisa Rachel William is today.  To check out Nafisa’s work, follow her on Instagram @nafisarachelwilliam. And to keep up with Monisha Singh Katial, follow her on Instagram @monishasinghkatial. We would love to hear from you and your recommendations for homegrown brands that you think we should feature on our lineup of Voices For Local, so reach out to us @voicesforlocal on Instagram. CREDITS: Host: Monisha Singh Katial (Twitter & Instagram) This is a Maed in India production. Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Producer: Husein Haveliwala

Nafisa Rachel William (Label Nafisa Rachel William)

All aboard! The Voices For Local express will be departing shortly. It’s going to be an exciting ride, and we’ll be stopping at a number of stations along the length and breadth of the country. Pack light, because we guarantee you’ll be picking up some beautiful goodies at every stop. Here we go!

Trailer

The time has come for India’s homegrown brands to shine. Through this podcast series, media personality Monisha Singh Katial takes you on a journey through the galli-mohalle and local high streets of the country to meet the founders of our most incredible up-and-coming brands. On the way, we get to be inspired by their stories, learn something new from their work, pick up some practical advice, check out their unique products, and understand the passionate minds of our Voices For Local.

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Voices for Local with Monisha Singh Katial

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