meet the artisans

At Mianzi, we believe design is not just about aesthetics, but about people. Behind every product is a story—of a hand that weaves, a mind that dreams, a heart that dares. Our artisans do not read or write, yet their craft speaks a language of mastery and resilience. For generations, their knowledge was passed not through books, but through observation, repetition, and touch.

But the world changed, and their craft was on the verge of vanishing. Earnings were scarce. Recognition, rarer still. Women, expected to stay behind closed doors, were never allowed the space to dream. And yet, something stirred—a quiet rebellion born not out of anger, but out of hope. Together, we created not just products, but possibilities.

Aarti

Aarti has never read a book, but her hands speak a language passed down through generations. In the village of Utaili, where opportunities for women are few and traditions often weigh heavy, Aarti found purpose in weaving. Before Mianzi, she would work long hours for meager earnings, unsure if her daughters would ever go to school. Today, each basket she weaves is a quiet rebellion against that uncertainty — a means to feed her family, educate her children, and stand with dignity. She works from home, surrounded by her children, who now see their mother not just as a caregiver, but as a skilled artisan holding onto heritage and shaping a better future.

Bablu

Born into the Basor community, Babloo grew up watching his father craft with bamboo — not as a hobby, but as survival. By the time he was 10, his hands knew the rhythm of weaving. But the craft was dying; earnings were low, and the younger generation was leaving. When Babloo joined Mianzi five years ago, he saw something shift. For the first time, his work was being recognised beyond the village — even featured in design magazines. “People outside now value what we’ve done for generations,” he says. Babloo feels pride, not just in his craftsmanship, but in knowing that his heritage is no longer something to hide — it's something to celebrate.

Chunki

If things had gone the usual way, Chunki would’ve been married off by 17. But she had other plans. In a community where girls are rarely allowed to study or earn, Chunki took a different path. “I didn’t want my life to be decided for me,” she says. She began weaving at Mianzi, quietly saving money for her education. Now in her early 20s, she’s the first woman in her family to earn a living and contribute to household decisions. Her work is bold and intricate, much like her spirit — proving that tradition and progress can exist side by side.

Deepak

Deepak’s workbench is scattered with simple tools, but what he creates with them is anything but ordinary. As a young boy, he learned to work with bamboo by watching his uncles and older cousins. But the market was limited, and for a while, he left the craft, working in nearby towns as a labourer. When he returned and joined Mianzi, he picked up the tools again — this time with pride. “Before, we sold to middlemen who never told us where our work ended up,” he says. “Now, I know people across the country use what we make. That changes how you see yourself.”

Genda Bai

At 52, Genda Bai’s fingers still move with the precision of a seasoned artist. She never went to school, never learned to write her name. But ask her about the weave pattern for a new shutter design, and she’ll explain it through movement and memory. For years, Genda Bai worked in silence, stitching baskets for roadside selling where she was paid little. “We didn’t know our worth,” she says. Today, she earns a stable income, and her grandchildren attend school. More importantly, she has found joy again — joy in being seen, in being skilled, in being valued.

Hemraj

Hemraj has always dreamed big — bigger than what his rural upbringing allowed. A quiet child with a gift for form and detail, he imagined creating grand structures, even though his world was confined to a few dusty lanes. For years, he worked small jobs to support his family, unsure if his creative aspirations would ever find an outlet. At Mianzi, he finally found the space to explore his ideas. Today, Hemraj leads the team behind some of our largest installations — featured in global design platforms, even Cosmopolitan. “It’s not just bamboo,” he says. “It’s a chance to be seen as an artist, not just a labourer.”

Sushil

Sushil is soft-spoken but deeply observant — a quiet force in the workshop. For years, he floated between odd jobs, struggling to make a consistent living from his craft. He never stopped weaving, but he often questioned whether it would lead anywhere. “It felt like shouting into the void,” he says. Since joining Mianzi, Sushil finally feels grounded. “I have a place. A platform. People see what I can do.” His designs are marked by subtle detailing and balance — a reflection of his calm, precise nature. With steady income and recognition, Sushil now dreams of training others, so this heritage doesn’t fade with his generation.

Umesh

Umesh is a man of few words. At 55, he carries decades of skill in his weathered hands — each line of his palm shaped by years of practice. He learned weaving from his father, who learned it from his own. But even mastery couldn’t protect him from poverty. “We almost gave it up,” he says, “there was no value left in it.” Through Mianzi, he has regained not only income but dignity. His input is sought during product development, and younger artisans now look to him as a mentor. His legacy continues — not just through what he creates, but through those he teaches.

  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi
  • handmade decor and lighting-Mianzi

Forever in Bloom

Pull on their heartstrings with felt decor that make a statement while supporting heritage artisans in India.