EkiBeki workshops
At EkiBeki, we are dedicated to nurturing our community and learning from our past to build a brighter future. Our passion lies in preserving and promoting the dying crafts of India, ensuring that these rich traditions continue to thrive.
Unity in Diversity
The word "Eki" signifies unity, and we embrace the beauty of diversity in art forms, crafts, culture, and traditions. As the modern world evolves, many of these exquisite art forms are at risk of being forgotten, and the artisans who dedicate their lives to mastering these crafts are struggling to maintain their livelihoods.
Our Mission
EkiBeki aims to revive these crafts not only to provide artisans with a dignified way of living but also to reconnect the youth with the vibrant culture and history of Indian arts. Through our specialized workshops, we strive to educate and inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds about the cultural significance of these crafts.
Engaging the Community
Our workshops are designed to spread awareness and foster appreciation for the intricate beauty of Indian arts and crafts. By bringing together diverse groups of people, we hope to shift perspectives and encourage support for skilled artisans. As more individuals engage with these traditions, we can create sustainable avenues for artisans to thrive.
Join us at EkiBeki in celebrating the heritage of India and supporting the talented artisans who keep these crafts alive. Together, we can ensure that the artistry of our past shines brightly in our future.
EkiBeki Artisanal Workshops
EkiBeki is excited to offer artisanal workshops that go beyond just teaching skills—they’re about sharing the rich, personal histories and stories of the artisans themselves. Each workshop is like stepping into a human library, where you can learn not only the craft but also the deep-rooted traditions, challenges, and journeys behind it.
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These sessions serve as a beautiful reminder of the cultural legacies we may have lost touch with, while also offering a chance to celebrate and support the incredible talent and craftsmanship of the artisans. Each workshop is an immersive experience of learning, creating, and connecting to the past in a meaningful way.
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It’s more than just a class—it’s an opportunity to dive into the stories and lives of those who keep these skills and histories alive.
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The EkiBeki Artisanal Workshops take place in various popular cafes across key cities. This initiative is entirely volunteer-driven, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing women who have stepped up to coordinate, share their expertise, and give back to the community.
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What to Expect:
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Engaging stories from artisans
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Hands-on skill-sharing sessions
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Community bonding over art and culture
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Upcoming Workshop: Stay in the Loop! For priority access to ticket sales and venue updates, join our WhatsApp chat.
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Want to Start a Workshop in Your City? If you’re outside Mumbai and interested in volunteering to establish the EkiBeki Artisanal Workshop series in your area, we’d love to chat! Please reach out to us via WhatsApp at 98202 38227.
Let’s come together to celebrate our artisans and their incredible stories! 🌟
Workshop 2: Gond in November 2024
Before our land divided into nations and states, there was a common thread that tied us all together: art.
Just as Aboriginal Art in Australia uses dots and dashes to tell stories, Gond Art in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, predates our modern maps. Both art forms draw inspiration from the performances, dances, and the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Both Aboriginal Art and the indigenous Gond art forms prominently feature dots, but their meanings diverge beautifully. In Aboriginal art, the dots symbolize territory and the concept of dreaming. In contrast, Gond art carries a deeper, ancestral significance: shamans believe that the particles of their bodies disperse into space, merging with those of the spirits to form new bodies.
With Gond artisans Bishau & Rajani Dhurwey, this image from one of our corporate team bonding sessions.
Workshop 1: Madhubani in September 2024
Till 1965, artists in Mithila, Bihar, were little known for their skills and expertise. It was just by a stroke of luck that Mr. Bhaskar Kulkarni, a reputed designer deputed by the Govt. of India happened to observe the drawings on doors and walls of different houses of villages Jitwarpur, Rashidpur and Ranti, all neighbouring villages of Madhubani. He was so amazed to see these works of art, that he persuaded them to change their medium from walls to paper, with a view to preserving the art.
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A silent revolution followed, the vegetable dye were substituted by fabric-colors, pastels and other dyes.​The beautiful Madhubani paintings captured the attention of fashion designers, Bollywood, NIFT to hotel chains that now display the art as murals.
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Artisan Shri Nandkishore Jha is a Mithila painting artist and native of Jitwarpur, Madhubani, Bihar. As a child, he grew up among the artists whose beautiful and vivid picturization of folklore influenced him to make it his profession.
Few glimpses of our recent craft workshops
Workshop partners
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