The Story of Rang Bazaar

Rang Bazaar began quietly — as a small livelihood initiative under Samvedna – A Society for Global Concerns in Bhopal, during those uncertain, post-pandemic years when the world was learning how to begin again.

What started as a few afternoons of craftwork and English reading sessions with a small group of young women slowly grew into something deeper — a space where creativity met companionship, and learning turned into livelihood.

Those early days were filled with experiments and conversations. Stitches that weren’t always straight, threads tangled mid-way, bursts of laughter, and cups of chai shared over stories. In that gentle chaos, a community began to take shape — one built on trust, patience, and sisterhood.

Inspired by the wave of small, homegrown businesses rising around us, we decided to take our first steps as a women-led collective. Our work started with traditional crafts — embroidery, mirror work, tailoring, tie-dye, and hand block printing — but over time, it became much more than that. These crafts became a language of confidence, dignity, and independence for the women who practiced them.

Today, Rang Bazaar has evolved into a full-fledged creative unit, led entirely by women.
It is co-founded by journalist-turned-social entrepreneur Tanya Shrivastava and her mother Dr. Chitra Srivastava, and supported by a dedicated core team of seven women — along with a vibrant network of over forty women artisans who join us across different projects.

At its heart, Rang Bazaar remains what it has always been —
a space for women to create, learn, and grow together.
A space where the handmade becomes a way of healing, storytelling, and empowerment.

Threads of Change: The Story of Rang Bazaar

Rang Bazaar began as a small livelihood initiative under Samvedna – A Society for Global Concerns in Bhopal, during the uncertain years that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

In those quiet, transitional days, a handful of young women gathered for simple craftwork and English reading sessions. What started as a modest skill-building activity soon blossomed into something far more meaningful — a community built on creativity, learning, and sisterhood.

From a Small Room to a Shared Dream

Those first sessions were humble but full of heart — women sitting together with bits of fabric, loose threads, and ideas that slowly took form. There were stories, laughter, moments of self-doubt, and the slow rediscovery of what it means to create something with one’s own hands.

As confidence grew, so did the dream. Inspired by the rise of small, homegrown businesses around us, we decided to take a leap — to turn these moments of making into a movement of meaning.

Rang Bazaar took its first steps as a women-led collective, nurturing traditional crafts like embroidery, mirror work, tailoring, tie-dye, hand block printing, and more.

These skills became more than just a source of income — they became a language of empowerment, restoring confidence and independence to every woman who picked up a needle, brush, or block.

A Collective Led by Women, For Women

Today, Rang Bazaar has grown into a full-fledged creative unit, led entirely by women.

It is co-founded by journalist-turned-social entrepreneur Tanya Shrivastava and her mother, Dr. Chitra Srivastava, whose shared vision continues to guide the collective with warmth and wisdom.

We now have a core team of seven women, and a vibrant network of over forty women artisans who join us on a rolling basis for different projects — each bringing her own craft, story, and strength to the Rang Bazaar family.

What We Stand For

At its heart, Rang Bazaar is not just about handmade products — it’s about handmade lives.
Every stitch, every print, every piece carries a story of renewal and resilience.

We believe in the power of art and craft to connect people, preserve tradition, and create opportunities. Our work continues to be rooted in community — where women learn, earn, and grow together, one creation at a time.

✨ Rang Bazaar is, and will always be, a celebration of women, craft, and the quiet beauty of handmade change.