Maka Maka? What's that?
Hi, I'm Mitun
(Srabanti) Chakrabarti, Designer and Co-Founder of Maka
Maka Lifestyle Store and Cafe in Kolkata (Calcutta), India.
Maka Maka means Friend and
that's what we've created - a friendly place, inspired by travel, for our
patrons to shop for unique local and globally made artisan products and to
enjoy eclectic cuisine in our Cafe!
Travel and exploration always appealed to me. After
High School, I had left Kolkata to study in the US at the Univ.
of Georgia with a scholarship
from Georgia
Rotary Student Program. After an MBA fromGeorgia
State Univ. and after working
in the corporate sector for 8 years, I decided Social Entrepreneurship and the
world of Design were my true passions! Traveling around the world,
trekking in Machu Picchu and Patagonia and more gave me a better insight into
various cultures and amazing artisan work.
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After moving to the
beautiful city of Vancouver from the US, I launched RAJBOORI a
brand through which we offered Peace
Silkhome textiles to the
North American and European markets. I returned to Kolkata after about 20
years to open Maka Maka with
a greater vision in mind!
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Our primary offering is Peace Silk home textiles. Peace Silk or Non-violent Silk is obtained without harming the silkworms. The silkworms become moths inside the cocoons and fly away and that's when the silk is spun.
Our weavers have been handed down their art from generation to generation for 600-700 years! We want to give them a wider audience and continue supporting them so we can keep this art alive.
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Reviving traditional craftsmanship in the context of modern design while providing sustainability to artisans in any country is the primary objective of Maka Maka. Khadi was a movement popularized by Mahatma Gandhi and we are striving to survive that art! Our work helps support weavers in 3 villages and a workshop of 20-30 craftsmen and women in and around Kolkata, India.
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Your contribution will help revive and sustain an art that is on the way of losing out to mass manufacturing industry. You will contribute to the livelihood of many artisan weavers who are poor and need our patronage.
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What We Need & What You Get
We need to raise $50,000. Maka Maka was launched with limited personal funding and a larger vision. The funds we need now will be used as follows:
- Approximately $26,000 will be needed to cover Operating Costs for another year as we get a stronger footing.
- To develop interesting and innovative new products for the home that are sustainable and artisanal, about $8,000 will be used.
- Another $4000 will be used to help improve living and working conditions of the artisans
- And about $12,000 will be needed in getting started on the expansion plans of Maka Maka so that we can engage more artisans and create a larger audience for our designs.
- In return for your contribution, we have some amazing artisan products for you - Tote bags, cushion covers, aprons, quilts and much more! And, the satisfaction of having made a difference in someone's life!
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The Impact
- You can be part of a journey where we are working hard to revive a dying art. Mass manufactured and poor quality products in the context of home and fashion are engulfing the market. We want to change that and support the sustainability of poor artisans whose work is exceptional.
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- With your contribution we can improve the basic living and working standards of these artisans. In a weaver's home, a dim-powered bulb hung above the loom is sometimes the only source of illumination! We want to change that!
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We'll share stories with you of the progress we make with your contribution through our campaign updates. You will see how your generosity can impact the life of a poor artisan and his family and help us create more unique designs leveraging their skills!
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One of our weavers with his family
Other Ways You Can Help
We need your support. Even if you cannot support us through a contribution, please share our story and campaign with your friends and family using Indiegogo share tools and get the word out for us!
