The origin of Sabrangi is rooted in the idea of providing viable market opportunities to women artisans working at Parivartan (an Integrated Rural Development Initiative based in Siwan district of Bihar).
The heart to our inspiration is to bring about a socio-economic and ethical paradigm shift in the lives of our rural artisans. At Sabrangi, it has been our sustained effort to revive traditional art and thereby transform livelihoods in an enabling and participatory environment. We are now home to several women artisans creating success stories in their everyday lives.
Our Approach
- We work from the ground-up to connect and engage with artisan communities to better understand their needs
- We foster partnerships with local NGOs, district and block officials to adapt to the complex dynamics of rural development
- We organise capacity building programmes to encourage rural participation and skill development
- Our work is driven by inclusive research on traditional art forms, sustainable fashion, circular economy and rural development
- The Sabrangi community strongly acknowledges and respects every artisan, material component, and effort that goes into every one of our products
- Our holistic approach is centric to the well-being and betterment of our artisan community
- The artisans work in a comfortable work-life time balance with 4-5 hour shifts leaving time for daily household chores
- We have also initiated steps to facilitate access to educational programmes, financial aid, health camps and government aid schemes
- Social recognition, community acceptance and overall personality development of our weavers is paramount to our effort
- Our artisans are a wholesome part of community events and festive celebrations conducted at Sabrangi
- We aim to create an integrated approach which starts with farming organic cotton and ends in hand produced fabric
- It’s been our sustained effort to create an affordable market positioning for handcrafted products
- Our designers play the role of a catalyst, using participatory approaches to train our artisans
- We are working towards a more sustainable way of production by reducing waste and using more eco-friendly methods (natural dyes, natural fibres and manual processes)
- Our team is also striving to revive distinct weaves, patterns and designs that have been forgotten. Products from Sabrangi emanate from the regional culture rather than recent trends
Our Approach
- We work from the ground-up to connect and engage with artisan communities to better understand their needs
- We foster partnerships with local NGOs, district and block officials to adapt to the complex dynamics of rural development
- We organise capacity building programmes to encourage rural participation and skill development
- Our work is driven by inclusive research on traditional art forms, sustainable fashion, circular economy and rural development
- The Sabrangi community strongly acknowledges and respects every artisan, material component, and effort that goes into every one of our products
- Our holistic approach is centric to the well-being and betterment of our artisan community
- The artisans work in a comfortable work-life time balance with 4-5 hour shifts leaving time for daily household chores
- We have also initiated steps to facilitate access to educational programmes, financial aid, health camps and government aid schemes
- Social recognition, community acceptance and overall personality development of our weavers is paramount to our effort
- Our artisans are a wholesome part of community events and festive celebrations conducted at Sabrangi
- We aim to create an integrated approach which starts with farming organic cotton and ends in hand produced fabric
- It’s been our sustained effort to create an affordable market positioning for handcrafted products
- Our designers play the role of a catalyst, using participatory approaches to train our artisans
- We are working towards a more sustainable way of production by reducing waste and using more eco-friendly methods (natural dyes, natural fibres and manual processes)
- Our team is also striving to revive distinct weaves, patterns and designs that have been forgotten. Products from Sabrangi emanate from the regional culture rather than recent trends
Working with a difference
Collaboration
We partner with local NGOs, government bodies and artisans to help bridge the complex dynamics of rural development
Skill Development
We organise capacity building programmes to train artisans and encourage skill development
Design Engagement
Our designers play the role of a catalyst, using participatory approaches to train our artisans
Socio-Cultural and Economic Development
We take steps to facilitate access to educational programmes, financial aid, health camps and government aid schemes.

Sabrangi collaborates with NGOs to understand the social strata, culture, and requirements of the artisan community and mobilises them accordingly

Happy Customers
Our products are designed locally, affordable, natural, built to last, socially responsible and sustainable

Happy Artisans
Women artisans are nurtured, trained, enabled and promoted to find their respectful place in society
Working with a difference
Collaboration
We partner with local NGOs, government bodies and artisans to help bridge the complex dynamics of rural development
Skill Development
We organise capacity building programmes to train artisans and encourage skill development
Design
Engagement
Our designers play the role of a catalyst, using participatory approaches to train our artisans
Socio-Cultural & Economic Development
We take steps to facilitate access to educational programmes, financial aid, health camps and government aid schemes.


Sabrangi collaborates with NGOs to understand the social strata, culture, and requirements of the artisan community and mobilises them accordingly



Happy Customers
Our products are designed locally, affordable, natural, built to last, socially responsible and sustainable
Happy Artisans
Women artisans are nurtured, trained, enabled and promoted to find their respectful place in society
WEAVER
SARITA DEVI
Barhulia, Bihar
Wife and Mother to 3 children
BEFORE PARIVARTAN
Sarita comes from a rural patriarchal family in Bihar. Her in-laws were reluctant and discouraged her from being a functional, active member of the rural society. Like most of her peers, the fulcrum of her life was motherhood and her household chores.
LIFE AT
PARIVARTAN
Sarita has had a long standing association with Parivartan even before the handlooms were installed. Battling through all her social obstacles, Sarita has made an effort to attend the training programmes and, has now graduated to a masterful weaver. She currently produces beautiful handmade stoles and sarees.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Sarita is now a proud mother, wife and daughter-in-law who contributes socially and economically to her family. Parivartan has enabled her to create a healthy balance between her family and work life.
WEAVER
PHOOLMALA DEVI
Pathradei, Bihar
Wife and Mother to 3 children
BEFORE PARIVARTAN
Phoolmala Devi has had a hard upbringing, primarily due to her difficult financial background. It has been her firm belief that education is an essential aspect of life. One of her prime goals has been to ensure a good education for her children. Her rough financial conditions proved to be a major hindrance to educate her kids. Phoolmala Devi managed her situation with help from her mother; however, the situation worsened after her mother’s demise.
LIFE AT
PARIVARTAN
Phoolmala Devi’s time at Parivartan had a multifold effect on her life. She quickly picked up several techniques in the weaving process. Her skills have made her one of the fastest weavers at Parivartan. She claims that weaving has been a therapeutic activity for her and has helped her cope with the harsh realities in her life.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Phoolmala Devi’s profession as a weaver proved to be a key financial aid with her children’s education. She now feels comfortable and safe about the future of her children. Life at Parivartan has given her a new social identity, dignity, respect and peace of mind.
WEAVER
CHANDANI KUMARI
Barhulia, Bihar
Single Woman with Siblings and a Widowed Mother
BEFORE PARIVARTAN
Chandani Kumari lives with her lonely widowed mother in Bihar. Her siblings – three sisters who are married and a brother – have all moved to the city. Chandani was always motivated to be a self-made woman who could stand on her own feet. She aspired to be financially independent and establish a respectable position in society.
LIFE AT
PARIVARTAN
With the structured training at Parivartan, Chandani has turned out to be a fantastic weaver. She has been practising weaving for about 18 months now and has already learnt to weave several designs. Her weaving skills vary from simple coarse fabrics to intricately woven fine sarees.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Life at Parivartan helped Chandani to achieve her goals. Chandani is now a free spirited, financially independent, socially responsible young woman. She supports her widowed mother and contributes to the financial needs at home.
Social Impact
Bringing about change

17
No. of Villages
Benefitted

51
No. of Families
Empowered

40
% increase in
earnings

35
% increase in children
going to school
Social Impact
Bringing about change

15
No. of Villages
Benefitted

52
No. of Families
Empowered

40
% increase in
earnings

35
% increase in children
going to school
Our Weavers are going places
Sabrangi’s collaboration with Parivartan led to a programme that encourages women to learn and take up cycling. Our initiative has helped our artisans with financial loans to procure bicycles. We also organised practice sessions to help them get the hang of cycling. So far 25 women have taken up cycling to commute from home to work! Our women artisans enjoy riding their bicycles to work. They are able to commute long distances in a shorter span of time which gives them more time with their families.

