“I grew up in Sambalpur, a small town in western Odisha, known for its culture, temples, and most of all, the Sambalpuri handloom. In and around Sambalpur, weaving wasn’t just a craft; it was a way of life. The looms were everywhere, humming in backyards and verandas, woven into our daily lives.
My great grandfather, Kruthartha Acharya, who was awarded the Padma Shri, spent his life reviving this craft. He built cooperatives, worked closely with weavers, and gave everything to ensure Sambalpuri weaving didn’t fade away. I didn’t realise it then, but those stories quietly influenced my understanding of identity and purpose.
In our home, values like education, community, and craft weren’t just spoken about. They were part of how we lived. My father, an educationist, showed me what long-term change through systems could look like. My mother wore her heritage. Her Sambalpuri sarees were her second skin. Watching her made me understand that handloom wasn’t just clothing-it was memory. She carried the stories of her grandfather and his work with immense pride.
I studied Computer Science Engineering and later pursued a management program at IIM Kozhikode. But the most powerful learning came from my years in the education and development space, starting with Teach for India, where I began my journey. Working with children, schools, and underserved communities taught me patience, empathy, and what it means to build something from the ground up.
And yet, alongside all of that, a persistent question kept surfacing: Why had handloom disappeared from our everyday lives? I had grown up with these weaves and these stories, but now they felt distant—reserved for special days or seen as old-fashioned. Fast fashion was everywhere. What was once essential had become ‘occasional.’
That reflection led me to start Earthyweaves. It wasn’t a grand idea. It was a slow realisation that the craft didn’t need saving; it needed reimagining. I wanted to bring handloom back into our everyday lives – in metro rides, boardrooms, classrooms. Earthyweaves is about making handloom modern, functional, and wearable, while staying rooted in heritage.
We use natural fibres, avoid harsh chemicals, skip the plastic, and make things in small batches. We work directly with artisans, and we even find ways to use leftover fabric instead of letting it go to waste. The idea is to create clothes that are breathable and easy to wear, handmade but fit for everyday life.
What sets us apart is that while many handloom brands cater to festivals or luxury markets, we create sustainable handloom workwear that people can wear every day. Our pieces are light, simple, and functional—made by hand but meant for modern routines. We want handloom to feel familiar again, not tucked away for special days.
For us, this isn’t just about clothing. It’s about people and stories. Each piece reflects something personal: my roots in Sambalpur, my mother’s sense of style, and my years working in education, where things had to be meaningful and useful at once.
Even now, when I feel unsure, I go back to the weavers. Watching them work with such care and focus reminds me why I started. Through it all, it’s my family that’s been there. Their support and the way we’ve all pitched in made it possible for me to begin and to keep going.
One moment I’ll always hold close is when we worked with a group of women tailors who were just learning to stitch with handloom fabric. They were nervous but gave it their all. Seeing their first finished pieces come together wasn’t just satisfying—it felt like a small win for all of us.
Looking ahead, I hope Earthyweaves becomes a name people trust for thoughtful clothing. But more than that, I want it to be a place where handloom stays alive, where artisans can earn with dignity, and where people know what they’re wearing and why it matters.”
#Entrepreneur #Handlooms #WomeninBusiness #Journey #HumansofHyderabad