Karishma Swali: Championing Craft, Culture, and Empowerment
Karishma Swali, Creative Director of Chanakya International, merges India’s craft traditions with modern innovation. Through her work, she has empowered women artisans, collaborated globally, and showcased Indian artistry as a vital part of contemporary design.
For over 25 years, Karishma Swali has been a transformative force in the global luxury industry, showcasing India’s artisanal excellence while championing cultural sustainability and empowerment. As the Managing Director and Creative Director of Chanakya International and the Chanakya School of Craft, and Chairperson of the Chanakya Foundation, she has blended India’s rich craft traditions with cutting-edge innovation, creating a harmonious dialogue between heritage and modernity.
Under her leadership, Chanakya International has become the trusted partner of iconic global luxury brands, crafting intricate embroideries and embellishments for couture houses such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, and Fendi. With a commitment to innovation, she has integrated rapid prototyping and computer-aided design into traditional craft workflows, ensuring that India’s centuries-old techniques remain relevant in an evolving world.
Her impact, however, extends far beyond the world of luxury fashion. In 2016, Karishma founded the Chanakya Foundation and the Chanakya School of Craft, a non-profit initiative dedicated to preserving craft, celebrating culture, and empowering women. The school has educated over 1,200 women, teaching them more than 300 embroidery and weaving techniques while fostering creativity, independence, and economic autonomy. By providing holistic education rooted in craft, culture, and the stories of inspiring historical figures, the school bridges the gap between tradition and the future.
In this interview, Karishma Swali opens up about her journey of art and craft preservation, her early influences, and the defining moments that shaped her mission. She delves into her groundbreaking collaborations with contemporary artists like Judy Chicago and Eva Jospin, her work on the acclaimed ‘Cosmic Garden’ exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, and her vision for the evolving role of craftsmanship in a rapidly changing world. Through her thoughtful insights, Karishma shares how she continues to reimagine the legacy of Indian artisanship on the global stage.
Nikhil Sardana: Your journey in art and craft preservation spans over 25 years, beginning with Chanakya International. How did your early exposure to Tagore and Krishnamurti shape your approach to heritage conservation?
Karishma Swali: Hand-craftsmanship has always held a special place in my heart—a connection deeply rooted in my childhood and shaped by the values my parents instilled in me. Growing up, the philosophies of Tagore and Krishnamurti profoundly influenced my perspective on heritage and the preservation of craft. Their teachings revealed that craft is far more than a skill or tradition; it is a living dialogue between generations, carrying stories, wisdom, and shared humanity.
This understanding shaped my approach to preservation—not as a static act of safeguarding the past, but as a dynamic process where each generation leaves its imprint, enriching the legacy with its unique voice and perspective.
NS: The Chanakya Foundation and Chanakya School of Craft both embody a mission of cultural sustainability and women’s empowerment. Could you tell us about a defining moment that led to their founding?
KS: Embroidery in India has long been a quiet yet powerful expression of identity for women. Through our journey, we realized that preserving craft and culture is deeply intertwined with the emancipation of women. In rural India, many women remain economically dependent on their male counterparts. Despite being equal contributors to their families’ welfare, their efforts often go unrecognized. This realization drove us to create opportunities for women through skill development and multidimensional learning focused on arts and crafts.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Chanakya Foundation and School of Craft have educated over 1,200 women, teaching more than 300 techniques in hand embroidery, weaving, and macramé. The school’s holistic curriculum fosters creativity, independence, and a sustainable future for the women it supports.
NS: How does the Chanakya School of Craft empower artisans, especially women, to develop autonomy and forge new opportunities within traditional crafts?
KS: The Chanakya School of Craft is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving craft, celebrating culture, and empowering women. Its unique curriculum goes beyond teaching technical skills, exposing students to design principles such as colour theory, semiotics, and art history in an accessible way. This approach redefines craft as a multidimensional art form.
Students also visit museums and exhibitions, engage in health and wellness programs, and draw inspiration from stories of historical female figures like Meera Bai, Sarojini Naidu, and Frida Kahlo. By weaving culture, history, and creativity into its curriculum, the school nurtures independence and instills a deeper connection to the world around them.
NS: You’ve worked with renowned contemporary artists like Judy Chicago and Eva Jospin. What draws you to such interdisciplinary collaborations, and how do you see them advancing India’s cultural narrative globally?
KS: Collaborating with artists like Judy Chicago and Eva Jospin has been deeply enriching. These partnerships allow us to merge traditional craft with contemporary narratives, exploring universal themes of identity, resilience, and creativity. Such collaborations also position Indian craft in a global context, transforming it into a medium for modern conversations about art and culture. Additionally, they offer valuable exposure for our master artisans and graduates, inspiring them to evolve their craft in meaningful ways.
NS: The ‘Cosmic Garden’ exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia brought together iconic Indian artists Madhvi and Manu Parekh. Could you share how this collaboration unfolded and its significance to you?
KS: The collaboration began years ago through conversations about our shared passion for India’s artisanal legacies. Madhvi Parekh’s paintings, often inspired by the feminine energy of Indian goddesses, deeply resonated with artisans familiar with traditions of Durga and Kali. For them, recreating this energy through threads was profoundly moving.
The exhibition, named after Manu Parekh’s Gate of Cosmic Garden, celebrated India’s pluralistic traditions while redefining the role of embroidery beyond domestic spaces. It reaffirmed Indian craft’s global relevance and its power to transcend boundaries.
NS: You’ve been awarded numerous accolades, from the Grazia Millennial Award to the Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite. How have these honours influenced your work, and what do they mean for your mission?
KS: These accolades affirm the values that drive our work—preserving craft, empowering women, and promoting cultural sustainability. They also bring global attention to the artisans and their extraordinary craftsmanship, reinforcing the importance of preserving heritage for future generations.
NS: As the art world faces rapid change, where do you see the role of craftsmanship and cultural heritage evolving, particularly in relation to sustainability and education?
KS: Craftsmanship and cultural heritage are timeless pillars of depth, authenticity, and connection. Education is key to preserving and evolving these traditions while ensuring sustainability. Through the Chanakya School of Craft, we equip women with the skills to thrive creatively and economically, fostering a future where traditional skills adapt while staying rooted in their essence.
NS: Looking ahead, what new projects or initiatives are you excited to pursue with Chanakya International and the Chanakya Foundation?
KS: We’re expanding our projects to build a global network where design students can integrate craft into their work. Initiatives like our Culture Centre and The Living Museum focus on research, collaboration, and community engagement, advancing cultural exchange and innovation to create a more interconnected world.
