Workshops | EkiBeki social enterprise

EkiBeki Artisanal workshops

History, as we are often taught, is written from a particular perspective. It’s shaped by the powerful, the political, and the prominent figures who dominated the pages of textbooks. Yet, there are countless stories of communities, artists, and traditions that remain buried—stories that are just as vital in understanding the full tapestry of human history.

What if learning could be more immersive, more engaging—what if it could bring to life the untold stories that never make it to the pages of a textbook? An Ekibeki workshop helps you uncover, explore, and celebrate the lesser-known narratives that rarely appear in conventional history books. These workshops are more than just lessons; they are immersive experiences aimed at opening young minds to the rich, diverse histories of cultures, communities, and art forms that have been overlooked or forgotten in mainstream education. The histories that have been passed down orally or preserved through art, folklore, and community practices. From authentic artisans whose skills are handed down generations.

What are the EkiBeki Artisanal Workshops?

Each workshop is carefully curated so you can step into a human library, you learn not only the craft but also the deep-rooted traditions, challenges, and journeys behind it.

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.

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.

The EkiBeki Artisanal Workshops take place in various popular cafes across key cities. This initiative was 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.

What to Expect:

Engaging stories from the genuine artisans
Hands-on skill-sharing sessions
Community bonding over art and culture

Upcoming Workshop: Stay in the Loop! For priority access to ticket sales and venue updates, join our WhatsApp chat.

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 3: Patachitra in April 2025

Patachitra was once painted on cloth, or scrolls. When the artisans came in to the cities looking for livelihood, they discovered a different way of storytelling- the theatre!
They were exposed to the British way of life and it reflected in their paintings. New developments in mass reproduction and printing, meant they could creating smaller pieces to sell as souvenirs to the hordes of people thronging the temple in Puri or Kalighat in West Bengal.

Patachitra—more than just a visual art— was used by the artists to convey anti-colonial sentiments and nurture a growing national consciousness, by very deliberately promoting Indian culture and traditions in the face of colonial attempts to suppress them.

These are the stories that don’t often make it into textbooks. Bapi Chitrakar and his wife Tagar shared some amazing stories with us

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

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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.

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.

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.

Tarasha Craft Exhibit- Feb 2025

EkiBeki curated the popular workshops at the Tarasha Craft Exhibit at CSMVS, Mumbai in February 2025. This was also a unique workshop experience beneath the shade of the trees, in true Gurukul style. Here was one more opportunity to interact with skilled artisans, learn new techniques, and enhance your craft in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.