Our Story

About Kadhai

Kadhai empowers underrepresented women artisans across India with a start in, Punjab by helping them gain digital visibility, fair income, and creative independence. Through our workshops, we teach women how to sew, embroider, design, and package their own products. Many of them had never earned a rupee independently — until now.

Our initiative blends skill training, cultural preservation, and fair trade. All profits go directly back to the artisans. So far, we’ve worked with 12+ artisan groups and trained over 40 women in skills like stitching, marketing, and inventory management.

Every purchase from Kadhai helps a woman step into her power.

It all began with a moment at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

While visiting with family, I wandered through the nearby artisan stalls and saw something that stayed with me: a group of women, hunched over for hours, carefully stitching vibrant Phulkari embroidery by hand — an art passed down through generations. The colors told stories. The fabric carried heritage.

But then I watched those same women being underpaid and bargained down by tourists and vendors. It felt like their dignity was being stitched into the fabric — and then priced like it was disposable.

That moment sparked Kadhai.

Why Kadhai?

The name Kadhai comes from the Punjabi word ਕੜਾਈ, meaning “embroidery” — but it’s more than just thread and needle. It represents resilience, skill, and the quiet power of women who build beauty into everything they touch.

From Idea to Impact

What started as a simple observation turned into a purpose.
Here’s the journey so far:

2023: The seed was planted at the Golden Temple.
Early 2024: I began visiting villages in Punjab, learning directly from women artisans and listening to their challenges.
Mid 2024: I launched the first Kadhai workshop to teach basic stitching and product design to a group of 10 women.
Late 2024: We sold our first batch of handmade Phulkari shawls online.

2025: Over 40 women trained. 12 artisan groups supported. 500+ products sold.

Where We’re Headed

Our goal is to empower 1,000+ women by 2030 — not just by selling their work, but by teaching them to lead, design, and earn.

We’re building:

A digital platform for rural women to sell directly
Regular skills training and financial literacy sessions
A global network of buyers who value heritage

Kadhai isn’t just about embroidery. It’s about rewriting what’s possible for women who’ve been told to stay invisible.

How it works?

Our Fair Trade Model: Every Stitch Counts

When you shop at Kadhai, you’re not just buying a product — you’re supporting a movement that puts dignity, fairness, and transparency at its heart.

We follow a simple, honest 3-step process that ensures every artisan is treated as a partner, not a supplier.

Step 1: Artisans Create

Our journey starts in the villages of Punjab, where women artisans — many trained through Kadhai workshops — design and handcraft each piece. Whether it’s Phulkari shawls, embroidered totes, or lac bangles, every product is made with care, skill, and cultural pride.

🛠 Artisan-Led Pricing
The artisans set their own prices based on hours worked, cost of materials, and local market value. We never force a "lowest bid" — we uplift, not undercut.

Step 3: Profits Go Back

After covering basic platform and shipping costs, 100% of remaining profits go directly back to the artisan.

This income helps women:

Open bank accounts
Support their children’s education
Invest in better tools and fabric
Become financially independent

Step 2: We Sell Online

Kadhai takes care of the digital side: product photography, website listings, packaging, and delivery. We share each product’s backstory, so buyers understand the human hands behind the art.

No middlemen. No mass production. Just real people, real skill.