Kalyani Pramod is a graduate of textile design from NID. Always passionate about the traditional crafts and her desire to bring a sense of design to them has seen her work with many. She worked with the Toda's of the Nilgiris and had them present their work at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her desire to work with women who had simple skills had her setup Rhapsody, a company making her designs for illustrated quilts for children, stuffed toys, patchwork quilts in cotton and silk. To expand her design sensibilities to other areas, she opened a center for arts and crafts called Manasthala.
A project with the central government-working with the poorest of the poor weavers of Tamil Nadu, over 19500 of them, visiting them, assessing their skills, motivating them, a six year adventure culminated in the creation of a brand and products that made these weavers step out from their present positions. A guest faculty at NIFT Chennai for many years igniting young minds. Today she works with the very differently-abled children and uses their limited movement. It's been a journey and will continue to be one. AWARDS: An outstanding contribution statement from Al-sadu for having documented the craft and to have taken it into another realm of colors. Many articles written about this work in the local papers. Many articles on the multitude of events that Manasthala held from July 1997 to March 2005. A film to communicate the brand IZHAI was another feather in the cap. Received an international award from Ashford wheels and looms for the work being done at Manasthala and Common threads. Received Nari Shakthi award in 2016.
