ARTISANS OF KERALA
Harsha Puthusserry
Founder at iraaloom Less Talk, More Sustainable Action! Join Me in Redefining Our Footprint on this Planet?? Iraaloom.com IIM-ElR Fellow (2021),IIMB-NSRCEL,GS 10K Cohort 24 (2023) Artist | Designer | Innovator
For the past two years, I have advocated for artisans in Kerala, driven by my artistic background and desire to support local communities. I understand the challenges that artists face and am dedicated to helping in any way I can. To this end, I am promoting their products online and securing bulk orders. We have established a platform for displaying a wide variety of products made from materials such as bamboo, reed, wood, and water hyacinth. We are working with over 2000 artisans, providing them with an outlet to showcase their unique creations.
Running a startup, especially one that is bootstrapped, can present many challenges, particularly in the areas of operations, logistics, and strategy. We are grateful to have received funding and support from the United Nations Development Program as well as the Kerala Startup Mission. These resources have been a crucial source of financial support for our bootstrapped startup. We are actively seeking additional support from other ventures to help us further our mission.
Our work in supporting artisans and promoting their products has a significant social impact and positively impacts their livelihoods. By providing artisans with a platform to showcase their unique creations and securing bulk orders, we are helping to increase their visibility and potentially their sales. This, in turn, can lead to increased income and stability for the artisan communities. Our work not only benefits the individual artisans but also helps to preserve traditional crafts and cultural heritage. Overall, your efforts are making a valuable contribution to the local economy and promoting sustainable livelihoods for the people of Kerala.