Nishant Malhotra: Reviving GI-tagged textile heritage and celebrating artisans with WeaverStory

(August 13, 2024) “As children of the pre-digital era, we have all grown up in homes and environments that have been driven by tradition. From food to craft and clothing, everything had a story and was a hand-worked skill passed through generations, be it the chutneys that were made at home or the sweaters that were knit. So there always was an inclination towards culture and the traditions of the past,” Nishant Malhotra reminisces as he connects with Global Indian. 

Although he was always fascinated by India’s luxurious heritage and traditions, he had never imagined that he would one day work with it. After spending several years in the banking and finance sectors, Nishant Malhotra founded WeaverStory nine years ago, finding both purpose and an avenue for social impact. 

Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event

Led by artisans 

The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers spread across more than 20 countries,” tells the entrepreneur. 

Whether it is the famed yarns of Banaras, the vibrant hues of Gujarat, the ethereal threads of Chanderi, intricate works of Kashmir, poetic weaves of Bengal, or resplendent silks of Kanchipuram – WeaverStory has been championing authentic handmade products like luxurious sarees and fabric, bespoke occasion wear, bridal couture and accessories blending tradition with modernity. 

GI certified handloom  

The textile brand’s products are silk mark and craft mark-certified with GI tags. It has been participating in the Government of India’s ODOP (One District One Product) initiative which aims to promote indigenous and specialised goods and crafts distinct to various districts across the country. “WeaverStory sources 350 products from over 19 Geographical Indications (GIs), thus ensuring genuine handloom apparel from the craftspeople who bring them to life.” 

The hand weaved textiles are delivered through retail stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and the brand’s website. It also retails online through domestic and international marketplaces such as Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Aza, Aashni + Co., Nykaa Fashion and Etsy. 

One of the WeaverStory stores

The journey of transition 

As a banking and financial services professional, Nishant often travelled to rural areas and smaller cities in India, working on financial inclusion projects. These experiences exposed him to not only the challenges faced by the local population but also to the complexities of implementing programs to benefit them. 

“I realised that even small steps could have a significant impact on their lives and it was this thought that drove me to start WeaverStory after a trip to Banaras that proved pivotal in the transition,” tells the Delhi based entrepreneur. 

Starting small 

In Banaras, Nishant met a weaver who had been forced to quit his craft due to low income and the pressure of supporting his family. Instead of engaging in his creative work, the weaver was folding sarees at a retail shop. This deeply moved Nishant. Upon his return to Delhi, he began conversing with others to understand the market need for Indian handlooms – the artistic heritage of India. 

“I discovered that there was a demand for handloom products, but people were unaware of authentic sources,’” he says. This realisation led him to start a small initiative by creating a Facebook page, where he showcased five well-crafted saris by a weaver of Banaras to help people appreciate the value of craftsmanship of the weaving community. 

Within months, his initiative started gaining recognition, motivating Nishant to leave his job and pursue social entrepreneurship. He had found the purpose of creating better opportunities for the artistic weavers of India and making a difference in their lives. 

WeaverStory team

“It started as a mere passion project with no intention of launching a full-fledged brand. However, that small step transformed everything, leading us to where we are today,” says Nishant who had over 15 years of corporate experience with Fortune 500 companies and biggest conglomerates like the TATAs and Reliance group at the time of stepping into social entrepreneurship. “Through WeaverStory my attempt has been to bridge the gap between true fans of original Indian handlooms and those with a century-long lineage in this artistic heritage. We work towards preserving our heritage and enabling weavers to become financially successful,” he says. 

Rising above challenges and earning trust 

In the initial days of his venture gaining the trust of the weavers was a challenge. “Coming from a banking background with no experience in textiles, I wasn’t attempting to become a designer. My goal was to create an ecosystem around handlooms. However, understanding the craftsmanship, the uniqueness of handwoven fabric, and effectively communicating with the weavers required substantial knowledge,” Nishant mentions. 

When he approached weavers, they were sceptical. “They doubted my understanding of their craft and feared their products would be rejected after completion.” An online brand, was an unconventional idea in 2015, especially for the rural weavers for whom trade meant an offline activity. 

To alleviate their fears Nishant started work on the model of buying products outright from the weavers addressing their concerns. “By ensuring immediate and fair compensation, we gradually earned their trust and overcame their initial resistance,” he says. 

A Madhubani artist associated with WeaverStory

Assuring quality 

Earning the trust of the weavers was just one side of the story. Nishant highlights that when purchasing a premium product like a handwoven saree, customers seek assurance about their investment. Therefore, early in their journey, the WeaverStory team began conducting video calls with customers to showcase the products in detail, thereby earning their trust as well. 

“At WeaverStory, our values of purity, pride, and intention have always been at the core of everything we do. We have consistently strived to present our customers with a curated collection of authentic weaves in pure fabrics that best represent India’s textile heritage and the skills of our weavers,” the entrepreneur mentions. 

Weaving stories 

To bring the stories of the rural weavers to the forefront and change the narrative in their favour Nishant Malhotra and his team does not just look at them as mere suppliers of products that they are marketing but provide the weaving community a sense of close collaboration. “This outlook is one of the major factors contributing to our growth story,” says Nishant. 

“Our product curation and storytelling are deeply influenced by the intentions and narratives of the weavers, and we make it a point not to interfere with their stories. The authentic stories behind each weave is what attracts our customers; and they want to buy, own, and cherish these unique pieces of art.” 

WeaverStory Foundation 

Recently, the entrepreneur has started the WeaverStory Foundation, which will undertake projects aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods and skill development for weavers, with a special focus on women artisans. “We are actively seeking and collaborating with like-minded partners to further this mission,” Nishant points out. 

Awards galore 

The textile brand has instituted several reward and recognition programs, such as Kala Nishtha, Kala Samridhi and Craftales to encourage lesser-known and new weavers to look at their skills with more optimism and be part of the WeaverStory network. 

“These initiatives help create visibility for them, especially among their peers and within their communities, where weaving is often seen as a low-paying job.”

In the WeaverStory model, the products are purchased outright from the weavers. “WeaverStory ensures that weavers are paid fair market prices that account for the scale and input while keeping the product competitive. This approach rewards the weavers for their skill, time, and labour,” Nishant says. 

Naseem Bano (extreme right) is one of the weavers that WeaverStory works with to upskill village women artisans

New Initiative – Revival collection of Venkatagiri sarees 

On the occasion of National Handloom Day which falls on 7th August and coincides with WeaverStory’s foundation day, the textile brand launched a revival collection of Venkatagiri Sarees. 

“Venkatagiri was once known for its fine-count cotton sarees with gold khaadi borders woven on a traditional pit loom. It held a place of pride in Andhra’s handloom traditions. However, with the advent of the power loom, the decline in the value of cotton, and a shift in market demand that leaned towards Banarasi, Kanchipuram and Paithani styles, the weavers of Venkatgiri lost touch with their traditional design language and eventually met with flagging patronage and diminished popularity,” informs Nishant. 

For the past several months, WeaverStory has been working with Tata Trusts’ Antaran to revive the lost designs of the Venkatagiri cluster. The textile brand has launched a collection of sarees with four archival designs that have not been woven in over 70 years. “The aim is to rekindle significant market interest in this historic craft and give saree connoisseurs across the world a piece of heritage to own,” says the entrepreneur who works with the vision of promoting the exquisite craft of handweaving, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.

Nishant Malhotra with Mridula and Parvez Alam from Tata Trusts during the unveiling of Venkatagiri Revival Project

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