MAATI brings contemporary Mithila craft products to Bengaluru buyers

MAATI, backed by KADAM India and Tata Trusts, used its two-day Colours of MAATI showcase to connect more than 150 women Mithila artisans with retailers, hospitality partners, designers and institutional buyers.

— Source published Sat, 22 Aug, 2026, 07:25 IST · First seen Sat, 22 Aug, 2026, 07:35 IST · Source YourStory · Capital

What happened

MAATI showcased contemporary Mithila-art lifestyle products in Bengaluru, linking women artisans from Bihar with retailers, hospitality partners, designers and institutional buyers. Backed by KADAM India and Tata Trusts, the initiative focuses on sustainable materials, design mentorship, market access and artisan income.

Key facts

  • Launched in 2014
  • Over 150 women artisans
  • Two-day Colours of MAATI showcase
  • KADAM operates across six states
  • Over 10,000 artisans impacted
  • KADAM's 18-year journey
  • Sabha is a 160-year-old heritage venue

Why this matters

MAATI could be a partnership target for brands, retailers or hospitality groups looking to build credible craft-led product lines and strengthen inclusive sourcing networks.

What to watch

  • Named retailer, hotel, designer or institutional buyer partnerships announced within three months.
  • Repeat orders rather than showcase-only sales, especially for corporate gifting and hospitality procurement.
  • Evidence of standardized catalogues, wholesale terms, fulfilment capacity or a digital ordering platform.
  • Average artisan earnings, order volumes and number of participating women artisans after the buyer engagements.
  • Expansion of Colours of MAATI to other metros or integration into major retail trade fairs.
  • Buyer feedback on pricing, delivery lead times, quality consistency and contemporary product fit.
  • Build a post-showcase buyer pipeline with samples, MOQ tiers, wholesale price lists and 30- to 90-day conversion targets.
  • Create hospitality-ready and corporate-gifting collections with standardized specifications, replenishment plans and customization options.
  • Invest in shared quality assurance, inventory visibility, packaging and dispatch capabilities to reduce buyer risk.
  • Use provenance tags, artisan attribution and impact reporting to support premium pricing without making unsupported sustainability claims.
  • Test online and omnichannel demand through limited Bengaluru retail capsules before scaling broader distribution.

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