Read how these four women-owned businesses from South India bring creativity and passion to life this festive season.
These women entrepreneurs from South India have been crafting a range of products for the upcoming festive season. (Supplied)
From the streets of Chennai to the innovation hub of Bengaluru, and from the historical charm of Hyderabad to the serene beauty of Thiruvananthapuram, South First introduces you to four women who have harnessed their artistic prowess to weave unique and thriving enterprises.
As the festive season dawns upon us, and if you’re looking to indulge in some retail therapy while supporting local businesses, here’s where you can turn to.
In the vibrant tapestry of Chennai’s entrepreneurial spirit, one small women-owned business shines like a gem — Pushkalambal Padmanabhan, affectionately referred to as Susheela, the force driving Pushkala, a brand that deals in acrylic rangoli decorations and handmade jewellery.
Originally hailing from the serene town of Kozhikode in Kerala, Susheela embarked on her creative journey 32 years ago when she moved to Chennai after getting married. It was a decision that laid the foundation for her flourishing artistic venture.
“I started this as a hobby in 2013,” Susheela recalls with a smile, reminiscing about her days as a homemaker who had enough time on her hands when her children began college.
It was during a visit to Giri Trading, a popular store in Chennai specialising in devotional decorative items, that she first encountered acrylic rangoli designs.
Intrigued by their beauty, Susheela decided to try her hand at creating them herself. “I could draw kolams well, so I thought, why not rangoli?” she muses.
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Her initial customers, her sister-in-law and co-sister-in-law, both residing abroad, were quick to appreciate Susheela’s talent and encouraged her to pursue it further.
Their invaluable feedback led her to refine her techniques, ensuring the stones on her rangolis no longer fell off, thanks to lessons gleaned from YouTube tutorials.
“For example, I replaced Fevicol with fabric glue and it made all the difference. I honed my skills further by discovering valuable tips and tricks online, which significantly enhanced the quality of my work,” Susheela adds.
Susheela embarked on her creative journey 32 years ago when she moved to Chennai. (Supplied)
Today, Susheela’s creations are in high demand, especially during festivals like Janmashtami, Varalakshmi Puja, Diwali, and Karthigai.
Her exquisite Krishna Padam decorations, symbolising the arrival of Lord Krishna, and priced at a humble ₹70, are particularly sought after. “Krishna’s footprints grace the entrance of homes on Janmashtami,” she explains.
But for Susheela, this venture isn’t about profit; it’s about passion. She also extends her creative touch to wedding décor using traditional dolls and crafting auspicious paruppu thengai koodu for Brahmin weddings, symbolising sacredness, abundance, prosperity, and fertility for the couple.
“My children are my biggest supporters and they encourage me to follow my passion,” she beams with pride. Susheela dedicates two to three days to crafting a single rangoli, especially complex designs, often working during the early hours when she can focus entirely on her artistry.
Krishna Padam. (Supplied)
Her product range, thoughtfully priced between ₹75 to ₹3,000, caters to a diverse clientele with a penchant for elegant home décor, like diya stands, unique festival gifts, and exquisitely crafted handmade jewellery, all meticulously fashioned from high-quality materials.
Susheela’s recent success with the Krishna Padam has been particularly noteworthy, with 150 orders delivered within a week.
With an ever-growing fan base on social media and the support of her loving family, Susheela’s journey from a homemaker with a hobby to a celebrated artist is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passions.
To order, visit Instagram @Pushkala
Aishwarya MR. (Supplied)
In the bustling tech hub of Bengaluru, where software engineers often work long hours, a young woman is adding a touch of creativity and spirituality to her daily routine.
Meet Aishwarya MR, a 27-year-old full-time software engineer who, after seven years in the tech world, decided to kindle the flames of entrepreneurship during the pandemic.
“As a software engineer, my work can be demanding, but I’ve always had a passion for creativity,” Aishwarya shares. “I used to draw and paint regularly, and I would share my work on Instagram, which made me an active user on the platform.”
With her work schedule from 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Aishwarya discovered she had the mornings at her disposal. “Spirituality is something that has always resonated with me,” she explains, “and I’ve always had a fondness for candles, especially scented ones.”
Her friends shared her fascination with candles, which sparked an idea. “I wanted to give candle-making a try as a skill,” she says with a smile.
Aishwarya embarked on a journey of experimentation, sharing her progress and techniques on social media. “I also took an online course on Udemy to learn more about the art of candle-making,” she adds.
She took her time honing her craft, actively seeking feedback from friends and relatives. But the most valuable feedback, she notes, “came from my own experiences using the candles. I wanted them to be perfect.”
Thus, Anayra was born. It was officially launched just a few months ago this year. Aishwarya’s commitment to sustainability shines through her products.
“My candles are 100 percent vegan,” she proudly states. “I use a coconut and soybean extract base instead of soy wax made from palm oil. I also infuse them with natural essential oils for fragrance.”
Aishwarya’s venture began with friends and family as her initial clientele, but her Instagram presence soon attracted a broader audience. “For Raksha Bhandan, I received a surge of orders. The Rakhi combo, which allows customers to customise their candles and chocolates, was particularly popular,” she recalls.
Beyond candles, Aishwarya’s creative spirit extends to resin art, resulting in unique products like a jewellery-holding terrazzo dish made from jesmonite — an emerging market in India.
Anayra’s candle offerings range from ₹90 for small candles to ₹1,200 for aluminium jar candles with exquisite fragrances that exude grandeur.
Aishwarya crafts candles in various shapes, from roses to bubbles and heart-shaped candles, all adorned to meet her customers’ desires.
“I love customising candle packs and bundles based on customer requirements,” Aishwarya enthuses.
Notably, Aishwarya received multiple orders for Janmashtami from Guwahati, Pune, and Bengaluru, with the laddoo candle and aluminium jar candle with floral motifs and vanilla-scented soy candle emerging as Janmashtami bestsellers.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Aishwarya reflects. “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my loved ones and the opportunity to turn my creativity into something that brings joy to others.”
To order, visit Instagram @AnayraCandles
Ariya Nair, a proud Malayali hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, has dedicated over 15 years of her life to various forms of art, including Tanjore paintings, Kerala murals, acrylic art, and abstract creations.
Nestled under the name Studio Niram, her brand is no ordinary art venture.
It thrives on niche orders and operates primarily through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Ariya’s artistic journey has led her to create festival offerings, tailor-made to the preferences of her discerning clientele.
Studio Niram was born in 2021 when the pandemic still loomed large. Ariya, who used to teach art classes and participate in exhibitions, found herself seeking a new creative outlet.
It was a friend’s suggestion that led her to explore the world of art on sarees and she hasn’t looked back since.
Ariya Nair (Centre) with daughters Mrinalini (L) and Devyani (R). (Supplied)
Her canvas extends beyond traditional art forms to encompass sarees, dupattas, kurtas, and blouses, all meticulously customised with fabric paint and an acrylic base.
“People often entrust me with their cherished sarees, seeking a transformation,” Ariya shares.
“Alternatively, I source sarees for them, offering a range of options to cater to their preferences. Each piece comes with specific care instructions, ensuring its longevity.”
The pricing of her artwork varies, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, depending on the intricacy of the design. Blouses are equally affordable, priced between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000, tailored to each customer’s unique requirements.
“My commitment to quality over quantity means I can only undertake a limited number of orders each month. The intricate process of painting a saree takes around 10 days, allowing me to complete a maximum of three sarees within a month,” she adds.
Although Ariya no longer conducts art classes, her expertise shines through her work. A Psychology major who hasn’t pursued the field professionally, she honed her artistic skills through numerous short courses several years ago.
Her signature style revolves around Krishna-themed paintings on sarees, shirts, and even mundus, depicting the beloved deity in various forms and expressions. From Radha Krishna portraits to depictions of Baby Krishna and classic Krishna/Vishnu forms, Ariya’s art resonates with a wide audience.
“Many people specifically request Krishna-themed artwork on sarees for festivals like Janmashtami, Onam, and Vishu. Krishna murals are a personal favourite,” Ariya confesses, “but I can adapt any form of art to fabric.”
Beyond fabric, Ariya also crafts handmade jewellery from wood and terracotta, often creating matching sets for the sarees she sells.
In her artistic journey, her daughters, Mrinalini and Devyani, have become pillars of support. They assist with social media management and even model for her creations, bringing the vision of Studio Niram to life in the virtual world.
“Without their help and steady involvement, my journey with Studio Niram wouldn’t have been what it is today,” Ariya smiles.
To order, visit Instagram @studioniram
Hyderabad-based L Saritha has spent two decades igniting the creative spark in people aged as young as five to 60 and beyond. A seasoned crafts teacher, Saritha embarked on her teaching journey at the tender age of 18, and her legacy continues to shine brightly.
“Teaching crafts is not just my profession; it’s my calling in life,” Saritha smiles.
Her students, many of whom are now septuagenarians, still reach out to her. “My students, some of whom are septuagenarians today, still talk to me on calls, even from abroad,” Saritha proudly shares.
Saritha’s dedication to the craft earned her a Guinness Record in 2022. (Supplied)
Saritha’s voyage into the world of crafts began in her teenage years. Initially, she dabbled in simple hand embroidery, paper crafts, clay modelling, and soft toy-making.
Her creations caught the eye of admirers who quickly turned into customers, marking the humble beginnings of her craft journey.
“Crafting was my way to make the most of my vacations. I started with simple projects and gradually moved to more complex ones,” Saritha reminisces. “People liked what I was doing and orders started pouring in.”
During the early days, sourcing materials for her craft wasn’t a walk in the park. She would diligently seek supplies from Mumbai, making sure that she got whatever she needed to continue crafting artistic wonders.
“I even completed my Bachelor’s degree while doing my small business on the side,” she reminisces.
Saritha’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to showcase her creations at temple stalls and exhibitions, a platform she used to market both her classes and products.
Her offerings ranged from Diwali diya decorations to traditional rangoli designs. Adaptation became her forte, evolving her craft to meet market and customer demands.
Yet, to Saritha, it’s not just a business; it’s a labour of love. “Crafts have always brought me happiness,” she shares. “I began this journey for myself and it slowly dawned on me that there was significant business potential in what I loved.”
In 2013, she took her passion a step further, opening a small shop that sold only crafts materials, attached to her Hyderabad home.
Starting with a two-person staff, her husband and brother-in-law aided with logistics. Today, even her 21-year-old son is part of the team.
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“As crafting materials became readily available, I transitioned to selling handmade dolls. My YouTube channel, launched in 2015, attracted followers seeking craft classes. It fuelled my passion further,” Saritha says.
Five years ago, she ventured into a full-fledged online business, starting with WhatsApp, progressing to Facebook, and now boasting an Instagram page named Saritha Arts and Crafts.
Her clientele spans local and international customers, with packages sent through family members who live abroad.
Saritha continually explores new techniques, learning from various cities like Chennai and Mumbai, ensuring she stays updated with the latest in the field.
“Presently, I focus on clay modelling, traditional doll making, decorating manufactured dolls, and paper quilling. My dolls are most in demand because of the quality of materials I use that are handpicked by me,” she beams
Her dedication to the craft has even earned her a Guinness Record in 2022. As a member of Doll Making Enthusiasts, a Facebook group with over 30,000 members, Saritha contributed to achieving the Guinness Record for the largest display of quilled dolls — a remarkable 3,441 in total!
Janmashtami season sees Saritha bustling with orders. (Supplied)
Janmashtami season sees Saritha bustling with orders for traditional Krishna figurines and mechanised Baby Krishna dolls with twisting keys, a venture she embarked upon last Janmashtami.
Each small mechanised Baby Krishna doll costs ₹300, while the larger variety is priced between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500.
Beyond crafting, Saritha has explored mehendi art and pursued a career as a beautician, showcasing her versatility as an artist and an entrepreneur.
“I want to dabble in as many artistic things as I can. The sky’s the limit,” she signs off.
To order, visit Instagram @saritha_crafts_hyderabad
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