Raksha Bandhan is one of the finest, most beautiful cultural traditions in India. A yearly festivity where the love between siblings gets accentuated and grows stronger. The word “Raksha” means “Protection” and the word “Bandhan” means “Bond”. The sister ties a symbolic thread called Rakhi around her brother’s wrist, which signifies her wishes for his happiness and prosperity. In return, the brother vows to protect his sister forever, and then pampers her with gifts.

“The bond between a sister and a brother is sometimes tightly woven, sometimes loosely held, but never broken!” – Anonymous.

Raksha Bandhan falls on 22^nd August this year, and The Business Press is proud to spotlight FOUR brands that are helping siblings celebrate the festival better!

Kaarigar Clinic

Founded by Dr. Nilesh Priyadarshi and Noopur Kumari on 1^st April 2019, Kaarigar Clinic develops Micro Entrepreneurs among Kaarigar communities to create sustainable livelihood and strengthen their social-economic status and empower them to make villages a better place to work, earn and live.

Kaarigars are very keen to develop their own business but they are unable to do that due to lack of education, resources, business, management and design skill. Millions of Kaarigars work in the Craft Sector, overlooked by NGOs and Corporates, but there is no major change in their lives. Kaarigars are getting exploited at various stages and are not getting value, recognition and dignity. Kaarigar Clinic is here to make sure every Kaarigar succeeds!

Kaarigar Clinic curates beautiful, handcrafted products from local Kaarigars for every special occasion, and for Raksha Bandhan they have the Raksha Sutra Edition of The Local Gift Box. This box contains everything that you would need to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with immense joy. There’s something in it for the brother and the sister as well. Kaarigar Clinic urges you to extend your care towards the Kaarigar community, by choosing to gift your loved ones the Raksha Sutra Edition of The Local Gift Box.

Currently, Kaarigar Clinic is only working with Kaarigars in Gujarat, but in the next five years, they plan to expand all over India. Their aim is to develop 1000 Kaarigar entrepreneurs, and create livelihood for 1,00,000 families in India.

To know more visit –

https://www.instagram.com/kaarigarclinic/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/pabiben/?hl=en

https://www.pabiben.com/products/raksha-sutra/

Moltbox

Moltbox specializes in handmade fashion jewelry for every occasion. They have a wide range of products that modern yet traditional women can choose from.

Akriti Tyagi founded Moltbox on 6^th February, 2019. She is an Engineer who had zero knowledge on how to set up and manage a fashion jewelry business. She got the idea of Moltbox during her sister’s wedding preparations. She discovered that having a brand that focuses on Statement Fashion Jewellery, Accessories, Handmade Decor and Festive Bijouteries was the need of the hour. She launched Moltbox through Instagram and then after getting overwhelming response there, she launched the website. Moltbox also has a strong presence on e-commerce platforms. Akriti’s parents have been the biggest motivation and support throughout her journey.

For Raksha Bandhan, Moltbox features the very elegant Kundan Bracelet Chain Rakhi which is unisex. The Kundan gives it a classy look and brothers find these bracelets very attractive around their wrists. The uniqueness of this Rakhi is that it is made out of pure Kundan, and it is handcrafted in chains that are reusable and wearable throughout the year. Moltbox also has a huge Fashion Jewelry range from which brothers can choose from, as gifts for their beloved sisters. As an added bonus, Moltbox has the option for sisters to shower some extra love towards their brothers, by sending a customizable handwritten message inside the package accompanying the Rakhi, and some chocolates as well.

Currently, Moltbox has a very strong social media presence and celebrities like collaborating with the brand. Moltbox wants to be a household name for Fashion Jewelry, Festive Season Shopping and the preferred brand for Handmade Jewelry. In the next 5 years, Moltbox foresees having offline stores in every city.

To know more visit –

https://www.moltbox.com

https://www.facebook.com/GoMoltbox/

https://www.instagram.com/moltbox

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-aq91wkrYL8aROamANRxFQ

Savitri Jewels

Savitri Jewels is a 92.5 Silver Jewelry brand aiming to provide economical and sustainable Silver Baubles that are extraordinarily unique. Their products are made only in 92.5 silver and each product comes with a hallmark.

Siddhi Khandelwal founded Savitri Jewels on 27^th June, 2020. She belongs to a family of jewelers, and she was always fascinated with jewelry. After completing her post graduation in Fashion Business Marketing and Merchandising, Siddhi requested her father to take his Silver Jewelry business online, but her dad was skeptical. When the world went under lockdown in 2020, Siddhi clicked a few pictures of Silver Rakhis and posted them on Instagram. The response was incredible. All the Rakhis were sold out within a week. Seeing that, Siddhi’s father felt confident and that is how Savitri Jewels was born.

“Savitri” Jewels – named after her late grandmother, is a new take on silver jewelry inspired by her grandmother’s trinkets. “Badi Mummy” as Siddhi would call her, loved to save every ounce of money she could, so that she could buy jewelry for herself, Siddhi’s mom and for Siddhi. Every piece of jewellery that Siddhi sells is a tribute to her grandmother.

All the Silver Rakhis are meticulously handcrafted in pure 92.5 Silver and come with a hallmark stamp. These unique Rakhis can later be converted into bracelets.

Currently, Siddhi handles everything about the business – social media, photography, branding and marketing – along with her full time job. Savitri Jewels is listed on a few e-commerce platforms and they ship only in India. By the end of 2021, global shipping will be underway and there’s also a plan to open a boutique quaint store.

 To know more visit –

https://instagram.com/savitrijewels?utm_medium=copy_link

https://instagram.com/twirlinglunatic?utm_medium=copy_link

https://www.jaypore.com/search?q=Savitri%20jewels&orderBy=-created_at

https://www.theloom.in/jewelry-vendors/silver-whispers/

https://www.thesecretlabel.com/designer/savitri-jewels

NeetiKriti

NeetiKriti is a sole proprietorship founded by Neeti Dilliwar in December 2009. She specializes in handmade products for every occasion. Neeti believes in “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”, and hence she makes eco-friendly, sustainable, and at the same time unique and beautiful handmade items.

Neeti is an Engineering Graduate and has worked for 13+ years in the IT Industry. She always had a knack for creating art. At the age of 34, she discovered the wonders of “Decoupage” and it changed her life forever. She finally quit her job and focused on creating mesmerizing art.

NeetiKriti specializes in Raksha Bandhan products.

“Rakhi Magnet in a Box”

One designer clay Rakhi with soft cotton thread.

One soft cotton macramé thread Rakhi with beads.

One polymer clay-based Rakhi Magnet Platter to stick the rakhi post-festival as memorabilia.

One Roli, Haldi, Chawal reusable cork bottle.

One chocolate.

“Customized Rakhi Hamper for Brother”

One Designer Clay Rakhi with soft cotton thread.

One soft cotton macramé thread Rakhi with beads.

One handcrafted wooden 2×3 inches Photo Magnet with customized sentiment and to stick the Rakhi post-festival.

One Roli, Haldi, Chawal reusable cork bottle.

One Phone / mini iPad stand.

Set of 3 handmade Camel Milk Soaps spelled “BRO”.

One chocolate.

“Customized Gift Hamper for Sister”

One handcrafted wooden 2×3 inches Photo Magnet with customized sentiment.

One Phone / mini iPad stand.

One Earphone Faux Leather Holder (4-inch circle).

Set of 3 handmade Camel Milk soaps spelled “SIS”.

One chocolate.

NeetiKriti ships worldwide and is currently only available online, but Neeti plans to start her own walk-in store where she can feature handcrafted art of other artists as well.

To know more visit-

https://www.instagram.com/neetikriti/

https://www.facebook.com/NeetiKriti

https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/NeetiKriti

https://neetikriti.myinstamojo.com/

To read more Startup Stories on The Business Press, visit – https://www.thebusinesspress.in/category/startup-stories/

Slow down and enjoy the ride – that’s the secret of a good life. When the world moves at a breakneck speed and life seems to zoom past in the blink of an eye, the only way to retain sanity and maintain a semblance of balance is by slowing down the pace of life in terms of your day-to-day habits and lifestyle. In fact, our fashion choices ought to adapt to the “go slow” mantra so that what we wear represents our authentic, unapologetic selves. Also, slow fashion encourages designing, producing, and buying garments for Quality, Longevity and Distinctiveness.

Launched on 26th May 2020 by Jyoti Vyas, Music Of Loom – By Jyoti Vyas is a unique venture that encourages the concept of Slow Fashion, offering products made from handwoven and hand block printed fabric. At Music of Loom, slow fashion is synonymous with thoughtful, intentional, and holistic answers for excessive production and mindless consumption. It promotes slower production schedules, fair wages, lower carbon footprints and minimal waste during the manufacturing process.

Here’s how the story unfolds

Music of Loom founder always had an affinity towards handicrafts, especially those from Rajasthan. Though a lifestyle photographer, she worked with artists and artisans eventually creating a company called Kaladarshini. However, post marriage and pregnancy, work took a backseat for 3 years. Jyoti further adds “The idea of MOL came when I met a few artisans and weavers while on break. My urge to work with them became stronger.

However, in the midst of planning and execution, Corona intervened. Finally, I took a leap of faith and launched my company by draping the first product, a cotton saree, myself. I also took the entire lot from artisans and also asked them to work on new designs as they had no income source during Covid.” Thus, the pandemic brought out the fighter in Jyoti. With whole-hearted support from her family, the spirited entrepreneur began her journey.

Music Of Loom – By Jyoti Vyas:  Go traditional, go slow

Music Of Loom – By Jyoti Vyas identifies the need for promoting vast and diverse craft traditions of India. It’s a perfect marriage of native craft techniques with contemporary designs creating a unique feel for each garment and artifact. MOL boosts sustainable eco-friendly methods of manufacturing. Indian traditional ways of manufacturing reduce the carbon footprint of the whole process.

Its product range includes home décor, ladies ethnic and western wear, hand block printed and Ajarakh cushion covers. Other hand block printed items are bedsheets, curtains, table mats, table covers and cotton sarees. Also there’re Bagru print products – bedsheets, bedcovers, cushion covers, Sanganeri print products, Hand painted Chanderi sarees, natural dye sarees, handloom sarees and many more. They also offer hand-block printed natural dye saree, Ajrakh sarees in natural colors, hand-painted saree, etc. Music Of Loom – By Jyoti Vyas also offer organic products that are designed and developed at grassroot level, using natural colors and chemical free pigments through the old and traditional way of printing dyeing.

A promising future beckons

Music Of Loom – By Jyoti Vyas works with ladies in the villages to empower them and renew the old forms of art. It has served more than 1000 clients and is planning to grow 200% this year with its redefined digital strategy. It intends to keep the momentum going for the coming years. Also, there’s a plan to start the first brick and mortar store this year in one of the metro cities as well as at international airports.

To know more visit – http://www.musicofloom.com

To read more Startup Stories on The Business Press, visit – https://www.thebusinesspress.in/category/startup-stories/

Since time immemorial, artists have changed the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. The work of an artist remains ingrained in our collective consciousness. In today’s times, like everything else, art too has acquired a new shape and form. Digital art, created with the help of different computer art visuals and graphic designing softwares, is gaining prominence. However, the essence of art stays just the same. What also remains the same is the deep imprint left on this world by some gifted artists.

Let’s talk about Suraj Lazar, one of the most promising artists of recent times whose raw talent and experimental approach makes him a cut above the rest. The accomplished interior designer turned digital artist has carved out a niche in the fiercely competitive world of digital art.

Because the heart always knows what you’re meant to be

Like any true artist, Suraj dabbled in many professions before discovering what he was truly meant to be. After completing civil engineering he did an internship in interior designing which, in fact, is his core profession and for which he won an award. With time, Suraj grew passionate about digital art. Though initially he was confused between careers, deep within he knew he had found his true calling.

However, since he had received no formal training, the journey was all the more difficult. He had to learn all the tools and techniques of making digital art through self-education. On his friend’s suggestion, he first sold his art in a US-based arts portal named Saatchiart.com. One fine day he got a call from a curator to showcase his works and that’s how his passion became a profession.

What is life without its fair share of lessons?

While trying to establish himself as an artist, Suraj faced many challenging situations but didn’t get dissuaded by them. Initially, he used to send his design service to his associates, without charging them but when they gradually wanted to do something big, they chose people from outside which was disheartening for him. That’s when he realized when someone is really good at something they should never do it for free because it would mean you are undervaluing yourself. This is one lesson that he believes will stand him in good stead in the near future.

The art and the artist

A noted American actress and standup comedian Wanda Sykes once said “If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it”. Suraj not just appreciates this quote but imbibes its spirit whole-heartedly. Since he believes experimentation is the best way of exploration, he doesn’t prefer sticking to one style. Though many of his subjects are women-centric, he often creates something completely random, taking himself by surprise. His quest for something fresh and unique makes his art standout among the rest. However, the process of creating art is as chaotic as it’s calming.

The most challenging aspect is to come up with a concept that would be both original and alluring in equal measure. The gifted artist draws inspiration from books and the fascinating characters breathing inside those pages. Occasionally a random scenario plays out in his mind and eventually finds expression through his art. As he says “When we can experiment with different styles why stick to one”. His art is made using multiple software which makes the whole process fun and engaging.

A treat for art lovers, today and tomorrow

The sky’s the limit for this incredibly talented and passionate artist. His art collectors are from India, U.S, Australia, U.A.E, London, France and counting while major clients are from the US, Germany, France, London and Dubai.

In the next 5 years, Suraj wants to establish a complete design house, where clients would come for interior design, graphic, products designing, digital art and many more. A solution for all clients under one umbrella is what Suraj strives to achieve in the next few years.

To know more visit – https://instagram.com/you_see_art?utm_medium=copy_link

To read more Startup Stories on The Business Press, visit – https://www.thebusinesspress.in/category/startup-stories/