Gudi Padwa Festival
March 25, 2025Launch at
Pune Bamboo Festival
Lonje Kathi Take Center Stage at Pune Bamboo Festival After carefully crafting and naming these beautiful kathis, and carrying out some basic branding, we knew it was time for the next big step - to take the artisans and their craft to a platform where their skill would be seen not just as a trade, but as true art. A space where they would receive the appreciation and recognition they truly deserve.
That platform came in December 2023, at the Pune Bamboo Festival. We took the artisans to Pune and launched them as master craftsmen, introducing their work to an entirely new audience.
A live demo was arranged - and it turned out to be the highlight of the exhibition. While attendees were used to seeing craft items on display, watching the creation process in real-time was a whole new experience. The crowd was visibly excited, drawn to the rhythmic flow of skilled hands at work.
The response was overwhelming. All the kathis sold out in no time. More importantly, the artisans felt something they hadn’t in years: pride. It was a moment of rediscovering the true value of their craftsmanship - in terms of both respect and income.
Following the event, we connected them with five dealers and secured orders worth ₹1.25 lakhs. Most importantly, they received seed funding of ₹1 lakh from the Maharashtra Bamboo Promotion Foundation (MBPF), a crucial push to reignite their entrepreneurial journey.
Back in Business
The seed money they received got the ball rolling. Within a month of the festival
and after four years of having left the craft - the artisans began selling kathis once
again in their regular yatra markets
At Ramboris Fair (Dhule)
The Change
What’s unfolding now is more than just a comeback. What we witnessed was not just a revival of a craft, but a transformation in the market dynamics and a shift in the customer segment.
And this shift is poised to redefine the future of Lonje Kathi.
