Kalakriti Showcases Assam Women Entrepreneurs' Craft Excellence

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 26 June 2026

Guwahati recently showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of Assam's indigenous women through the Kalakriti exhibition, where traditional craftsmanship met modern digital enterprise. Organised by Axomi24 – The Indigenous Story, the exhibition created a vibrant marketplace for women artisans to present their handcrafted products, connect with new customers, and demonstrate how heritage skills can evolve into sustainable businesses.

Key Highlights:

• Kalakriti exhibition showcased Assam's indigenous women-led craft enterprises
• Traditional silk weaving is expanding through digital platforms and e-commerce
• Women entrepreneurs are preserving cultural heritage while driving economic growth

The exhibition featured an extensive collection of handloom textiles, home furnishings, jewellery, decorative items, and handcrafted accessories, highlighting the richness of Assam's indigenous artistry. More importantly, it reflected a growing trend of women transforming age-old weaving and handicraft traditions into thriving home-based enterprises by leveraging social media, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing. By embracing technology, these entrepreneurs are expanding their reach beyond local markets while preserving the cultural identity of their communities.

Established in October 2021, Axomi24 – The Indigenous Story is a registered trust committed to empowering indigenous women through entrepreneurship. In addition to organising exhibitions like Kalakriti, the organisation offers networking opportunities, business training, market access, and mentorship, helping artisans convert traditional skills into profitable and sustainable ventures.

Assam remains India's silk capital, producing nearly 90 per cent of the country's Muga silk and around 65 per cent of its Eri silk. The state's renowned Muga, Eri, and Pat silks have all secured Geographical Indication (GI) status, reinforcing their authenticity and global recognition. According to the 2019–20 survey, Assam is home to more than 12 lakh weavers, the highest number in the country, with women playing a central role in sustaining this centuries-old industry.

Several women entrepreneurs exemplify the sector's growing economic potential. Kalyani Gogoi has built a successful enterprise that supports nearly 1,000 women weavers while generating annual revenues of Rs 20–30 lakh through premium Muga silk products. In Dhemaji, Mahanta Silk House sources textiles from more than 100 women-operated looms and exports authentic Assamese silk to customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Gulf countries. Meanwhile, Moromi from Sivasagar has enhanced her craft through training from the North Eastern Development Forums, developing innovative products made from both traditional silk and water hyacinth.

Technology is further accelerating this transformation. Start-up Resham Sutra has introduced advanced machinery capable of increasing textile productivity by up to 400 per cent while providing digital platforms that improve access to raw materials and broader markets. More than 1,200 women across the Northeast have already benefited from these innovations.

Government initiatives have also strengthened the handloom sector through financial support, skill development programmes, and legal protection under the Handloom (Products Preservation) Act, 1985. Combined with GI recognition for products such as Muga silk, Assamese Gamusa, and traditional Bodo textiles, these efforts continue to enhance the global appeal of Assam's heritage crafts while creating new opportunities for indigenous women entrepreneurs.