Chandra Jain

Chandra Jain is a textile revivalist, cultural advocate, and founder of Kadambari - A Group for the Performing Arts & Crafts, a Bengaluru-based non-profit established in 1987 that promotes arts, crafts, heritage, and arts-based education. With over three decades of experience, she has worked extensively to preserve India's traditional crafts through artisan development, cultural programming, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. Her work focuses on revitalizing endangered textile traditions, strengthening artisan livelihoods, and fostering public appreciation for India's cultural heritage. She has led significant initiatives in the revival of Banarasi brocade weaving and the reintroduction of natural dyeing techniques, collaborated with artisan communities across India, and curated numerous cultural festivals and exhibitions. Her work promotes intergenerational learning, sustainable craft practices, and the integration of arts into education and community development.

Professional Affiliations:

• Life Member, Crafts Council of Karnataka
• Executive Committee Member, Crafts Council of Karnataka
• Founder, Kimkhab (Textile Revival Initiative)

Educational Qualifications:

• M.A. in Philosophy, Lucknow University
• Postgraduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs, Lucknow University
• Women Entrepreneurship Program, IIM Bangalore

Publications / Professional Contributions:

• Led the revival of Banarasi brocade weaving and reintroduced natural dyeing techniques in collaboration with artisan communities in Varanasi.
• Initiated livelihood-development initiatives with stone sculptors of Shivarapatna, including design innovation, skill development, and market access.
• Initiated post-earthquake artisan rehabilitation in five villages in Kutch, Gujarat.
• Curated Namma Jaatre for the Government of Karnataka in 2023 and 2024.
• Curated an exhibition of crafts of Karnataka for the G20 meeting in Bengaluru in 2023.
• Curated Paatre, a heritage-vessels exhibition, for the Crafts Council of Karnataka in 2023.
• Curated Kutch Mahotsava in 2001.
• Mounted the exhibition River Weaves: Brocades of Banaras at the Bangalore International Centre in 2025.
• Wrote and published the book River Weaves: Brocades of Banaras.
• Introduced GRIPS Theatre from Germany for Children to Bengaluru.
• Organized theatre festivals including Natyotsava with the National School of Drama, Habib Tanvir Theatre Festival, and Natyarangoli Children’s Theatre Festival.