Our founder, Shamlu Dudeja got introduced to Kantha in 1986, and realized the potential of the Kantha artisans whom she met at a local fair.
She took it upon herself to further the cause of reviving and revising Kantha.
It become her ‘shakti’ (power) as she not only empowered herself but all the rural artisans in the villages.
As the popularity of Kantha spread, Shamlu along with her daughter Malika established Malika's Kantha Collection (MKC), the marketing organization to promote Kantha globally. Soon thereafter, Self Help Enterprise (SHE) an NGO was formed to work towards welfare of Kantha artisans.
Our founder, Shamlu Dudeja got introduced to Kantha in 1986, and realized the potential of the Kantha artisans whom she met at a local fair.
She took it upon herself to further the cause of reviving and revising Kantha.
It become her ‘shakti’ (power) as she not only empowered herself but all the rural artisans in the villages.
As the popularity of Kantha spread, Shamlu along with her daughter Malika established Malika's Kantha Collection (MKC), the marketing organization to promote Kantha globally. Soon thereafter, Self Help Enterprise (SHE) an NGO was formed to work towards welfare of Kantha artisans.
MKC endeavors have successfully been able to unshackle Kantha from the traditional confines of a quilting stitch and allowed it soar to the top range of haute couture, haute decor and stitch portraiture. Tremendous promotional efforts to the simple running stitch have impacted the lives of rural women beyond all expectation. From the handful of artisans Shamlu started with the number has grown manifold.
Kantha revival has been the harbinger of the resurgence of 'shakti', the empowerment of women. The enhancement of their status in the family and within their community has reawakened their inner sense of self worth.
Malika's Kantha Collection
4/1, Alipore Park Road
Kolkata 700 027
Tel: +91 98746 67444
Email: shekantha@gmail.com
Self Help Enterprise © 2019
