KEEPER OF LIVING TRADITIONS

For Chandra Jain, crafts are not merely objects but living traditions woven with human dignity, resilience, and history

For over three decades, Chandra Jain has dedicated herself to the preservation and promotion of India’s rich crafts and performing arts. As the Founder-President of Kadambari, a non-profit organisation she established in 1987, Jain has worked tirelessly to support artisans across rural and urban India, reviving fading traditions while giving them a platform in the contemporary world.

“Crafts are not just objects, but living traditions,” she reflects. “What keeps me going is the human connection — the artisans themselves. Their resilience, their artistry, their joy in what they create. Every time I see that spark of pride return to a weaver or a craftsman, it renews my own energy.”

A Life with Crafts and Craftspeople

From reviving Banaras’s celebrated brocade weaving to strengthening the livelihoods of stone carvers in Shivarapatna, Jain’s journey has spanned a wide canvas of art and culture. She is also a Life Member of the Crafts Council of Karnataka and has represented India at the World Crafts Council since 2001.

Her approach has always been rooted in empathy and integrity. “I don’t think of ‘rural’ and ‘urban’ as different categories,” she explains. “It has always been about meeting people with sincerity. When you interact with integrity, they trust you. The rules of collaboration are no different from life itself: empathy, ethical practice, and respect.”

This philosophy has enabled her to nurture trust among artisans while also appealing to contemporary audiences. It has also guided Kadambari’s work, which has moved seamlessly from rural workshops to major international stages.

Stories of Revival

Among her many interventions, one story from Banaras remains particularly poignant. Jain recalls a weaver who had abandoned his traditional loom for a power loom and had nearly discarded the old frame into the Ganga. His wife had urged him to let go of what seemed like a relic of the past.

“What struck me was the reverence with which he spoke of the river,” says Jain. “Here was a Muslim weaver, yet the Ganga held the same sanctity for him as for anyone else. That reflected the syncretic culture of Banaras.”

When she persuaded him to resume weaving safas, the ceremonial turbans of Banaras, the weaver rediscovered his pride. “Something about to be discarded as worthless became, once again, a symbol of legacy. For me, that moment captured both the challenge of revival and the profound joy of reconnecting an artisan with his heritage.”

From Vidhana Soudha to the World Stage

Jain has consistently brought crafts into the public eye with unforgettable showcases. Whether curating Namma Jaatre on the steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru or designing exhibitions for G20 delegates, her events blend aesthetic richness with emotional resonance.

“A showcase becomes unforgettable when people walk away with more than an aesthetic experience — when they feel an emotional connect,” she insists. “It is not just about spectacle; it is about inspiring pride and joy. That resonance is what makes the memory stay.”

Her belief in blending heritage with innovation has also guided her work. “Tradition is never static,” she notes. “The contemporary emerges from it. If innovation has true worth, it doesn’t replace tradition; it strengthens it by keeping it alive and relevant.”

The Role of an Ambassador

With a career spanning craft revival, theatre, dance, cultural education and more, Jain embodies the role of an arts ambassador. Yet, she views it less as a title and more as a responsibility.

“Being an ambassador is about bridging worlds,” she explains. “It means ensuring the voices of artisans are heard not just in their villages, but on national and international platforms. It is about being a storyteller, an advocate, and a collaborator.”

In her vision, artisans should never be seen as custodians of fragile relics. Instead, their traditions must be celebrated as vibrant, evolving legacies that continue to shape India’s cultural identity.

As she looks back at her three decades of work, her conviction remains unshaken: “Crafts are about human dignity, resilience, and pride. When these traditions thrive, so too does our culture.”