About Us | kimkhab

Our Founder’s Story

Kimkhab is the vision of Chandra Jain, textile revivalist, cultural advocate, and lifelong custodian of India’s craft heritage. Her journey into the world of textiles is rooted not just in admiration for handwoven beauty, but in a deep commitment to preserving and reimagining the rich legacy of traditional weaves and the artisans who create them.

For over two decades, Chandra has worked at the intersection of heritage, sustainability, and empowerment. As the Founder of Kadambari, a non-profit organisation promoting crafts and performing arts across India, she has tirelessly supported artisan communities, helping build livelihoods while bridging tradition and modernity.

A significant focus of her work has been the revival of Banarasi brocade weaving. Widely acknowledged as an expert in this field, Chandra has collaborated closely with master weavers to restore fading skills, stage exhibitions, and develop new markets. Her revival of natural dyeing, lost for over 125 years, has reintroduced a vibrant, eco-conscious colour tradition rooted in nature and spiritually aligned with Varanasi’s cultural ethos.

Kimkhab is born from this legacy.

Beyond Banaras, Chandra has championed many other craft traditions. She worked for over a decade with the stone artisans of Shivarapatna, forming self-help groups, introducing new designs and techniques, and facilitating access to markets and training.

A life member of the Crafts Council of Karnataka and long-time Executive Committee member, Chandra has curated and led landmark cultural events—from Paatre, an exhibition on heritage vessels, to Namma Jaatre, a celebration of Karnataka’s folk forms staged at Vidhana Soudha and later in Belgaum. She showcased Indian crafts at the G20 summit in Bangalore, and has been a sought-after speaker at institutions such as NIFT and Rotary.

Her earlier initiatives include post-earthquake craft rehabilitation in Gujarat, the acclaimed Kutch Mahotsava, and the branding of Vastrabharana, one of Karnataka’s leading textile exhibitions. Deeply rooted in the world of theatre and folk art, she has also led workshops on puppetry, natural dyes, and seasonal crafts, while contributing to arts education, writing, and cultural journalism.