Laaasya Craft Studio making handcraft using old age tools.

Meet Parul, she is the founder of Laaasya Craft Studio. She uses old age tools and techniques instead of moulding and technology.

“Understand your strengths, aspire and go for it”, says Parul.

We got an opportunity to talk to Parul and see how she is working on her passion. And I am sure it will inspire you as well.

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before choosing this field?

• I am Parul Yadav BE (Information Technology ), an Artisan cum budding entrepreneur. I am Founder and Owner of “Laaasya Craft Studio”.
• Born in 1985, in Kondagaon (Bastar), Chhattisgarh
• Born and brought up in middle-class family;
• Father in Police and Mother is a teacher in Govt school. Basically from UP but moved to Kondagaon for work

 

How did you land up doing what you do now?

Bastar is a tribal region globally known for various tribal art forms like Dhokra art, Wroght Iron art, Bamboo art, Terracota, Tuma (dried Bottle gourd art), paintings, wood carving.

Being born and brought up in Kondagaon / Bastar region, I was by default exposed to above artisans, handcrafting processes and interest of external world tourist towards these. Also, during this time while I was studying in school, I used to spend time learning and practicing the technique with tribal artisans near my home.

What fascinated me:

• The complex process of making of these handicrafts using age old tools and techniques but NOT any mould OR technology.
• Artisan’s getting inspired by their daily life and surroundings/nature, and reflecting this in their creations
• Story that each craft conveys

 

After completion of my basic education (12th), when I moved to Bhilai and then Pune, I could get external world’s perspective towards Bastar art work. I developed sense of pride in belonging to that Bastar zone, which is otherwise a sensitive area to naxalism.

The final push was when I shared my thoughts with my Would-be husband (arranged marriage) and he encouraged the idea of pursing this artwork as career over a regular IT job.

After getting married and moving to Pune, I started conceptualizing my thoughts in this direction and started focused efforts towards exploring the market for these artworks. I used to work from home those days, keeping my investment minimum.

With a break in-between for maternity and moving to Bangalore (job transfer of husband), we consolidated our position and made-up our mind to settle in Bangalore and formalize our set-up in form of LAAASYA CRAFTS STUDIO in early 2017.

 

What motivates you?

The biggest motivation is customer’s interest. It feels great when my concepts are translated into products and they get an overwhelming response from customers.

 

How do you plan to stay ahead of your competitors?

We are a very small set-up, focusing on delivering unique and authentic artworks at the reasonable price point.

 

If not the current profession, what would you have been?

Not sure but may be an IT professional

 

Were your parents supportive of what you are doing? What impact have they had on your life?

They are more supportive now than earlier. We come from conventional mindset who aim to up bring their daughters by educating them well and getting them settled (marriage). They did not stop my curiosity in local artwork however looking at it as career option was never an option for them.

After marriage, they were open to my plans, as it had my husband’s interest too.

 

What are your plans for the next 2 years?

I aim to set-up a bigger store in the prime area of Bangalore, and to gain visibility in the country as well as outside.

I want to transform the tribal art to modern aesthetics so as to get acceptance in corporates, giftings etc thereby increasing the market for these artworks

 

What does a typical day off from work consist of for you?

My kid continues to be my priority, followed by husband, family and friends.

 

Any regrets till now? If yes, will you like to share it with our readers?

I am quite happy with the way I am going however I wish I could have started this set-up early.

 

If you were given a choice of meeting any person you want, who will be that person?

Mr. Ratan Tata

 

Any message that you want to send to your readers?

Understand your strengths, aspire and go for it.

 

Know a great startup story or want to share your own? Write to us at contact.bangaloreinsider@gmail.com and we will get back to you. For more updates follow Bangalore Insider on Facebook.