In Sumraser, India, a centre of craft revolution is making its mark, stitch by stitch. The Kala Raksha Trust was founded in 1993 as a not-for-profit initiative, under the guidance of American social entrepreneur Judy Frater and indigenous artisan Parakash Bhanani. They shared a vision to preserve the rich, traditional crafts of Kutch, which were being undervalued and at risk of slipping away from society.

In Thread Caravan’s inaugural Crafts of Kutch experience, participants were fully immersed into the rich and storied craft traditions of Gujarat’s Kutch region, a land shaped by centuries of nomadic movements, trade, and artistic heritage. Over the course of eight days, we connected with master artisans and learned textile techniques through hands-on learning experiences. Below, we dive into the unique experiences included in the trip itinerary.