03/04/2023
Srutiza Mohanty, a Bengaluru-based engineer, left her engineering job to establish Risham Jewellery, a company that aims to revive the traditional craft of bead production and provide employment and educational opportunities for women.
Bead weaving is a complex art form that has been in use for thousands of years, ranging from Native American storytelling to clothing and collars for Egyptian kings.
- Despite being introduced to India by Europeans, beading has primarily been used for home decoration and less for jewelry-making, with the local market being inundated with low-cost alternatives.
- Mohanty, who stumbled upon the art form while browsing the internet, was inspired by the process and started learning bead weaving after work, eventually deciding to take the venture seriously after the birth of her child due to encouraging signs of success.