SOMAIYA KALA VIDYA

SKV evolved out of over 20 years of working closely with artisans of Kutch, during which Founder Director Judy Frater defined the issues with which artisans struggle. The premise of Somaiya Kala Vidya is to test a new approach, to offer solutions other than those already offered. In traditional craft, concept and execution were not separated. The artisan was both a designer and producer. The market was intimately known, as the consumer was either of the same community or of a community closely connected to that of the artisan. When local markets were lost to competition with cheaper, mass- produced products, new markets of sophisticated urban buyers who appreciate natural materials and handcraft emerged. However, these distant markets were not well understood by artisans. Thus "design intervention" was introduced, separating design and execution... Somaiya Kala Vidya is a part of Somaiya Vidyavihar, which encourages traditional artisans of Kutch. It offers design, business education,..