Shoba’s Black Book
Connecting and discovering hidden gems is what I love about my travels. I have absolutely loved the products from them, and I am sharing this list with you. It’s for you to visit them during your travels here or, if you love the product, connect with them directly and place your order. Let’s work together to keep these beautiful handmade crafts alive.
Pathamadai Pai
Contact:
P Mohamed Sulthan +91 9443507392
In the little village of Pathamadai, this traditional mat weaving has been practiced for generations. The locally grown Korai grass is used either in its natural color or dyed in brilliant colors and woven to create beautiful patterns. This mat is known as "pattu pai" or silk mat for its soft texture and fine weave. It has always been part of the trousseau of every girl from this region.
Lena Ladakh
Contact:
Instagram: lena.ladakh
Phone: +91 7051441940 / +91 8082804949
Lena is a Ladakh-based slow-textile label that crafts Pashmina products. Here, every stage of the production process is carried out by hand, from spinning to dyeing to weaving. The Pashmina is sourced from the Changpas or the nomads who rear the Pashmina goats and trained women spin, weave, and dye (using only natural dye) to create the Pashmina product. This has been a beautiful journey to showcase Pashmina, which has its origin in Ladakh and create sustainable & dignified sources of livelihood for women.
Artisanal Alchemy’s Apricot Jam and Curated Dining experience
Contact: +91 9560180063
Kunzes is a food historian who has been researching Ladakhi food and curates the most immersive food experience as she takes you through the many stories about food in this land. You can enjoy this while in Leh, on a pre-booked basis. Kunzes also makes some wonderful Apricot preserves using the fresh harvest from her garden in Leh, as well as their orchards in Sham Valley. It is said the finest Apricots in the world are from Ladakh, and if you can’t visit Ladakh during harvest time, the next best is to get this bottle of apricot jam at home.
Oliavia Olive Oil from Thar desert
Contact:
Jasbir: +91 9818497415
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.in/Satbairi-Oliavia-Organic-Drizzling-Authentic/
Here is India’s own Olive Oil straight from the Thar desert. From this Olive orchard comes Satbiri Bai’s Olive oil called Olivia. Pure and tasty Olive oil. If you are traveling to Rajasthan, it is worth visiting this farm, and if you are lucky, you can hear the story from Satbiri Bai herself.
Pattu Shawl
Contact:
Omprakash Ji +91 9649022707
In Pokhran, Rajasthan is Gomat village where Fusram Ji, a thread master, along with his son continues to keep alive the tradition of handwoven Pattu shawls. In particular, the traditional Malini Pattu is made in a range of bright colours with beautiful geometric patterns. These Malani pattu are used as shawls, headgear, table runners to wall hangings. They now do made-to-order cushion covers, table mats, or anything else you may fancy to add a splash of color to your home keeping the traditional colors and patterns intact.
Lac Bangles
Contact
Saddam+91 8209091665
The Lac bangle makers are called “Manohars,” a predominantly Muslim community. Any Hindu wedding celebration starts with the arrival of the Maniharan or the wife of the bangle maker who makes the bride wear the first bangle. Lac is a resin that is melted, mixed with a powder, and made into a dough. This is then heated to give shape before the color is applied and further embellishments added. I am sharing the number of Saddam at Ramgarh in Shekhawati; he is one of the finest bangle makers always experimenting with new shapes, designs, and colors.
Forest Post
Contact:
Phone: +91 8281503356
Pure forest products range handmade by women in Central Kerala’s indigenous communities. The founders' vision here is to create an added income for the women in this community. The products are all sourced from the forest most mindfully and in very limited quantities only. My favorites are the wild honey and the soaps. To find your favorite, you can visit their website: https://forestpost.in/