KOAKA
COLLABORATORS
NAME : SHOWKATH
CRAFT : Pattern Maker, Fabric cutter and Tailor
History : Mr. Showkath learnt stitching as a kid, everyday after school, in his hometown. He later went to Bombay to better his craft and for better opportunities. He eventually came back to his hometown and has been in business for the past 16 years. He has taught over 15 people, most of whom have their own businesses. He currently has a staff of 5 tailors
NAME : Damini
CRAFT : Design / construction
History : Damini is an engineer turned designer with post graduation in fashion design. She worked with multiple brands before setting up her practise in her hometown.
My work gives me a medium to express and explore myself, my opinions and my feelings.
My work constantly helps me redefine my identity and my perspective as a south Indian and a south Asian in the global context. I unintentionally find the people and places I am connected with in my work, and my beautiful, powerful and complicated relationship with them.
NAME : TAIYUR
CRAFT : Dying / Screen Printing and hand block printing
Taiyur had first learnt the art of printing as a kid. He has been in the business and has been working on his craft for the past 20 years. He has since taught many people and many students. He currently employs around 8 people.
SELF EXPRESSION
"I returned to my hometown because, this is where my whole family and my life has been. In my town, I don't have to work for anyone else, I can do it on my own terms and teach it to new people in my community. I have never looked at my work, as a sole entity for myself. It is about everyone involved, like my staff who depend on our work for a livelihood. I have never felt bad when people I have taught create their own business in my town. I feel happy I could do that for them. It helps the community grow. I wish to create more work and hire more people."
"It love working on my craft everyday. It gives me a lot happiness. Especially printing is very important to me. I do it very passionately."
PASSION
COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENCE
NAME : Durga
CRAFT : Hand Quilting/ Hand finishing
History : Ms.Durga has previously been a famer and a social worker. She was trained in hand quilting in 2020 as part of the "Small town project".
NAME : Vinod
CRAFT : Photography
History :Vinod is an Independent documentary photographer based in Mumbai. He holds a Post Grad Degree in Environmental Engineering and worked in a consulting firm before quitting the job to pursue his interest in arts.
"I work at my home, whenever I can. This has helped me with the stress and it gives me happiness. I am happy to have a respectable job, where I don't have to be answerable to anyone but my craft. "