Amritapuri, Kerala | February 9–11, 2026: In a beautiful blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and global engagement, 20 exquisite traditional mural paintings were presented as VVIP gifts during the SPARC Project Symposium hosted by the Amrita School of Biotechnology at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus.
These thoughtfully curated artworks were created by talented artisans from the Amritavarshani Self-Help Group (SHG)—Sharmila, Anuraghi, Likitha, Shibi, and Princy. The artisans were trained through a Fabric Painting Course conducted by AMMACHI Labs under the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Women’s Empowerment Project, empowering them with both artistic and livelihood skills.
Adding to this remarkable collection was Adithya, a skilled contributor trained under the Amrita Sankalp Avsar Skill Training Programme (2023), reflecting the institution’s continued commitment to nurturing local talent.
Each mural painting was elegantly packaged in eco-friendly, hand-stitched jute folders crafted by Santhi, further emphasizing sustainability and attention to detail. The seamless execution of the entire order was managed by the dedicated WE Project Store team, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
This initiative stands as a powerful example of how traditional art can be elevated to a global platform while simultaneously supporting artisan communities and preserving cultural heritage.
Empowering Artisans, Preserving Heritage
Through this initiative, the project not only showcased India’s rich mural art tradition to an international audience but also created meaningful livelihood opportunities for women artisans.
Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
| SDG | Goal Title | How This Initiative Contributes |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5 | Gender Equality | Empowers women artisans from the Amritavarshani SHG through skill training, income generation, and opportunities to showcase their work on an international platform. |
| SDG 8 | Decent Work and Economic Growth | Creates sustainable livelihood opportunities by enabling artisans to produce and sell handcrafted products, supporting inclusive economic growth. |
| SDG 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities (Preserving Cultural Heritage) |
Promotes and preserves traditional mural art by bringing it to global platforms, ensuring cultural heritage is valued and sustained. |
| SDG 12 | Responsible Consumption and Production | Encourages eco-friendly practices through handcrafted products and sustainable packaging such as hand-stitched jute folders. |
A Thoughtful Choice for Meaningful Gifting
As institutions and organizations increasingly seek meaningful alternatives to conventional gifts, this initiative highlights the value of choosing handcrafted, sustainable products that directly support artisan livelihoods.
Planning a conference or event?
Consider gifting handcrafted creations that tell a story, preserve tradition, and create lasting social impact.