Co-Creation Design Workshop in Purulia: Empowering Tribal Artisans

In the picturesque heartland of Purulia, a remarkable event unfolded that is destined to leave a lasting imprint on the local community—the Co-Creation Design Workshop organized by Tribal Veda Heritage LLP. More than just a workshop, it was a celebration of indigenous skill, a platform for collaboration, and a beacon of hope for empowerment among tribal artisans.

The workshop was graced and led by a passionate team committed to uplifting tribal communities:

• Suman Samanta, CEO of Tribal Veda Heritage LLP, opened the workshop by reaffirming the brand’s vision — to make tribal livelihoods sustainable through dignity, design, and demand.
• Supratim Datta, Business Head, shared future market plans and how these co-created products would soon find their way into curated gifting lines, homestays, and lifestyle collections.
• Mr. Kamal Mahato, Programme Director, narrated the journey of transforming age-old crafts like Chhau mask making and Sabai grass weaving into contemporary forms of expression. A true mentor to the artisans, Kamal’s presence anchored the event in deep-rooted authenticity.
• Shilpi Ghosh, Trifed Marketing Representative – East India, brought in a key perspective on national market linkages. Her session on pricing, branding, and TRIFED’s support framework was a turning point for many artisans.
• Shentu Das, in-house designer at Tribal Veda Heritage, worked shoulder-to-shoulder with artisans in a lively Design Discovery Session. Together, they explored shapes, textures, and colors using Sabai grass, soil, paper, and bamboo — reimagining traditional crafts into products like table lamps, masks, runners, planters, and lifestyle décor.

What Happened at the Workshop?

The two-day workshop was structured around design discovery, prototyping, and artisan profiling:

• On Day 1, 20 selected tribal artisans engaged in hands-on sessions using local materials like Sabai grass, natural dyes, soil, and bamboo. The goal: create products that are aesthetic yet functional.
• The Design Discovery Worksheet, developed by Tribal Veda, guided artisans through themes of heritage, nature, and utility — unlocking creative possibilities.
• Artisan Profile Cards were also created — documenting each artisan’s story, craft lineage, and specialization. These will soon be featured in Tribal Veda’s upcoming exhibitions and online platforms.
• A TRIFED registration and onboarding process was initiated for artisans with market-fit products — ensuring a clear route to scale and income.

What’s Next?

This workshop is only the beginning. The selected products will soon be part of Tribal Veda’s Festive Collection 2025, to be showcased through curated exhibitions, online platforms, and government-supported retail programs. The artisans, now co-creators, are being considered for long-term engagements, mentorships, and design collaborations.

The event also marked the beginning of Tribal Veda’s journey to build a cluster of design-forward tribal homestays and craft centers in Purulia, where tourists and buyers can interact directly with tribal culture and creativity.

“Designing with the community means understanding them first. Our goal is not to change their art, but to help it travel further.”
— Suman Samanta, CEO, Tribal Veda Heritage LLP

Stay Tuned

Follow @tribalveda.heritage on Instagram and Facebook to see behind-the-scenes moments, artisan stories, and the upcoming product collection from this workshop.