Our Story
Process & Ethos
In our small capacity, we are forever attempting to create a pleasing and refreshing aesthetic by employing the touch of human hand, every step of the way. Hand drawn motifs, inspired by nature or geometry, get translated into meticulously hand carved wooden blocks. Hand picked grey fabric is processed and subsequently transformed along with the wooden blocks and vibrant colour palette.
We design all our products starting by designing the prints. Each artwork is drawn and re-drawn by hand, till its perfect to be translated on to a wooden block, hand carved by the best skilled artisans in India. We work with AZO free dyes to dye and print the designs on to the fabric. Mostly we work with discharge dyes which is a reactive dye process that enables us to print light colours on dark dyed fabrics, that also makes the process more challenging to recreate something.
Dyed or white fabric is stretched and pinned up on wooden printing tables that have layered cushion of jute and fabric. After this our skilled artisans hand block print the designs, using colours that are made by our colour master ji. Once printed, the fabric is dried in the sun. After we wrap up printing for a day, all the fabric is stitched together to make yardage again, which is then taken to a mill where it is passed through steam. Next morning we collect the fabric, bring it back to the printing workshop, open the stitches and wash it in plain water. It is at this stage that we can see the result of previous day’s work. It is a process that is very sensitive to the weather. Ideally we need dry and hot climate. During extreme winter and monsoon we cannot print at all. Any unexpected weather change on the printing day affects our end result adversely. Fascinating right! But this also means any mistakes can be caught only when its too late. Which makes fewer people work with this process. This is a traditional print technique that requires skill and patience.
We mostly work with handloom sarees, sourcing them from different states around the country while supporting the traditional artisans and weavers across the nation. Kosa from Chhattisgarh, mulberry silk, dhanekhali and linen from Kolkata, Chanderi and Maheshwari from Madhya Pradesh, Pashmina silk and Tussar from Bhagalpur are a few examples of handloom sarees we have been sourcing for printing. We also love and promote working with Malkha India from Hyderabad. Every sari is unique and appeals to a wide range of patrons, including school going girls and that's our way of making saree popular amongst the new generation. Our prints and colours become conversation starters for our patrons and we hope we have been successful in creating a unique design language through our sarees that is distinguished. Our signature flip pallu sari is a unique creation We take pride in our team for always pushing the envelope further and serving you the best way possible!
Our Founder
Swati, founder of Brahma Karma, hails from Jaipur, a city she loves dearly.
With a post-graduate diploma from the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design and experience in an export house, she ventured to establish her own brand. Her creative spirit embraces the traditional art of block printing, celebrating the vibrant essence of Jaipur.
Combining her passion for block printing with business and design education, Swati crafts contemporary products. In 2013, she launched Brahma Karma at the prestigious Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai. Since then, the brand has garnered tremendous support from clients worldwide, reaching countries like Kenya, Mauritius, Singapore, USA, Dubai, Australia, and Russia. With a studio in Mumbai and online presence, Brahma Karma continues to thrive and expand globally!
Sustainability
With a focus on quality and attention to detail, our products are designed to last. To reduce waste we produce our fabric in small batches, keeping limited stock. We only use natural materials and ensure that fabrics are dyed AZO free, without harmful chemicals.
All our products have a timeless appeal and we do not follow seasons marketed by the fashion industry. We are proud that we are doing our bit to keep saree as a drape relevant by giving it a contemporary look that appeals to young girls as much as discerning women who find expression in our designs.
Ethical Values
As a small independent brand, the way we make our products is as important as their design. We are mindful of creating in a slow and conscious way with respect for the handmade process, our planet and people. Brahma Karma products are carefully stitched and finished by a small team of talented tailors in our workshop in Sanganer, Jaipur. Our sarees are mostly handloom fabrics that we directly source from weavers across various clusters in the country. Once printed, the sarees are exclusively finished at a women led, small boutique setup.
Brand name Brahma Karma
BRAHMA, the Hindu god of creation, and KARMA, meaning action with consequences, united to form the core of our brand philosophy. Swati founded Brahma Karma as a vehicle for her creative expression. As a conscious and ethical business, we value our team members and customers, forging lasting bonds for life.