A Hundred Hands - Bengaluru
A Hundred Hands is a Non-Governmental Organization in Bengaluru city of Karnataka state of India. The idea of two sisters Mala and Sonia, was established in the year 2010. Initially, these sisters started exhibitions on their charming front lawn, which has grown to include a few 100 members. Their membership is exclusively for artists and NGOs supporting artisans to build their brands and business. This helps them to become independent and self-sufficient. The motto of the organization is to empower those who work with their hands and create magic. They organize annual exhibitions to showcase the best of traditional art and craft from all over India. The sisters do not take a commission from selling the handicrafts; thus, all the income from sales goes directly to the craftsmen. This NGO helps people who depend on handmade products for their livelihood.
The story behind this began when they supported a women's farming group called Vanastree, based in Sirsi, Karnataka. For the first time, they provided the platform to women artists and got a tremendous response. Soon, individual artists and groups came forward and registered themselves with this NGO. It holds exhibitions in Bengaluru, Kochi, Coimbatore, and Mumbai every year. Due to these exhibitions, craftsmen gain an understanding of the needs of the contemporary market. They interact with people and evolve their style. The artisans from Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra come for the annual exhibition. The founders are indirectly preserving the traditional art and crafts by providing such kind of platform to artists to showcase their work. One can witness this conventional craft fair, which had various artworks, terracotta pots, handloom materials, miniature painting, bandhani cloths, thangka painting, block prints, Kalamkari, and many more at one place.
