Ensures fair living wage for producers
Discloses the community being impacted
Reduces the environmental impact
Focusses on women producers
Created using handcrafted methods
Reduces/Reuses/
Recycles resources
Recycles resources
Made out of responsible materials
Uses portion of proceeds to give back to the community
KaleNele, derived from the Kannada words "Kale" meaning art and "Nele" meaning shelter, embodies its mission to provide a sanctuary for nurturing traditional crafts and artisans. Founded with a vision to revive the fading weaving traditions and diverse art forms of Karnataka, KaleNele aims to offer these crafts an uncontested identity. By focusing on sustainability, the organization creates a wide array of home décor and furnishings, sarees, dupattas, stoles, jewelry, and accessories. KaleNele's efforts are not just about preserving heritage but also about generating sustainable employment for numerous weavers and artisans. Their commitment ensures that these craftsmen and women can continue their practices, passing down their skills through generations while reaching a broader market. KaleNele stands as a testament to the beauty and resilience of Karnataka's artisanal heritage, striving to keep these rich traditions alive in the modern world.
Purpose
KaleNele is dedicated to providing sustainable employment to as many craftspeople as possible by reviving and reinterpreting traditional art forms. Their mission involves adopting various traditional crafts, weaving indigenous fabrics, and transforming them into vibrant lifestyle products that enrich everyday life. What sets KaleNele apart is their deep engagement with weavers and artisans throughout the design and product development process. This collaborative approach not only ensures high-quality creations but also fosters a sense of encouragement among artisans to continue practicing and passing down their exquisite skills. KaleNele’s commitment to the progressive betterment of their artisan community results in enduring relationships and a thriving, sustainable craft culture. Through their efforts, they breathe new life into traditional arts, adding color and vibrancy to contemporary living while supporting the artisans' heritage and livelihoods.
People
The brand collaborates with weavers and craftspeople, including dyers and embroiderers, across clusters in North Karnataka. Employing numerous weavers and their families, they produce fabrics, dupattas, stoles, and saris. Women in these households often weave, while others assist in essential pre-loom processes like warping. Additionally, KaleNele trains women in Kasuti hand embroidery, many of whom come from distressed backgrounds and are associated with the NGO RAPID in Dharwad. By teaching these women valuable skills, KaleNele helps them achieve sustainable livelihoods. The organization also works with women in Honavar, who create fabric flowers and gubbis, traditional elements featured in KaleNele's jewelry and cushion covers. With plans to scale operations by moving the production center to Dharwad, KaleNele aims to generate more local employment while promoting the rich crafts of Karnataka. This move will further their mission of preserving traditional arts and improving the lives of local artisans.
Planet
KaleNele is deeply committed to environmental consciousness, ensuring respect for nature at every step. By avoiding the use of generators, which emit pollutants harmful to health and climate, KaleNele minimizes its carbon footprint. They strategically plan production activities so that their artisans can engage in tasks like gubbi making, which do not require electricity. KaleNele creatively repurposes fabric leftovers into new products annually, reducing waste. They utilize handwoven fabrics and materials from small loom establishments, often run from weavers' homes, to support livelihoods and protect the environment. This eco-friendly approach includes using pure fibers and electricity-free looms. Additionally, KaleNele’s packaging is crafted from pure cotton, further reflecting their commitment to sustainability. Through these thoughtful practices, KaleNele not only upholds traditional crafts but also promotes an eco-friendly ethos, ensuring their operations are harmonious with the environment.
