All things hand-made

BestHandsIndia (BHI), an organisation that promotes Indian handicrafts, will be organising their first crafts mela in the city, called ‘By Hand’, on March 4 and 5. This mela is being organised by BHI jointly with Hyderabad Goes Green (HGG) and showcases products that are hand crafted by artisans from Hyderabad, Madhubani, Bangalore, Khurja, Kalahasti and Chennai. About BHIFounded by Dharuni Garikapaty, Best Hands India (BHI) is a reflection of her appreciation of the inherent beauty and heritage of design and craftsmanship from India.Working with various companies in the IT industry, including Microsoft, for over eighteen years, she always felt the need to do something which blended the beautiful with the useful. Travelling through and working in Europe, USA and India, she let the idea of India and Indian craft unfold in her mind’s eye in different layers and hues. It was around this time that she chanced on Steve Jobs’ keynote speech for Stanford’s 2005 commencement. In the speech, Jobs described how Indian calligraphy impacted the elegant designs and fonts used in all Apple products. She felt a compelling need to promote Indian craft, a need to make the craft products a part of all that we do, we use and we display. After various discussions and interactions with a host of craftsmen, Dharuni decided to start BHI. Armed with the vision and the understanding of the needs of craftsmen, BHI works closely with artisans across India to present traditional crafts in contemporary designs. They bring together artisans, NGOs, and Self Help groups to offer the best of range products to consumers directly. BHI also creates their own products. What you will find at the mela Some of the products that will be available for sale at ‘By Hand’ are bags, jewellery, stationery items, toys, kurtis, dupattas, wall hangings, lamp shades, terracota containers, eco-friendly natural colours for Holi, among others.  ‘By Hand’ is being organised at Hyderabad Goes Green, Road No.5, Banjara Hills. For details, contact: 8099330506