Narrating Untold Stories
Transforming Lives.
Glass Sutra Foundation was born in 2020, during one of the most challenging moments of our life, the global pandemic. It emerged from a deep personal calling, shaped by years of learning and experience across the world, to revive and reimagine the delicate art of glassmaking in India, while amplifying the unheard voices behind the flame: the artisans, the women, the invisible creators.
As a glassmaker & artist, I’ve seen firsthand how fragile yet powerful glass can be. A material shaped by fire, transformed by hands, and capable of becoming something extraordinary. I realized that this very process reflects the lives of so many people, especially women in marginalized communities—pushed by pressure, often overlooked, yet full of unrealized brilliance.
I created the Glass Sutra Foundation because I believe that craft is not just about skill. It is a story, a struggle, and a strength.
It deserves to be seen as art.
And the people behind it deserve to be seen as artists.
Glass Sutra Foundation is my way of turning passion into purpose
protecting tradition, empowering people, and shaping tomorrow.
This is more than a nonprofit. It’s a movement, a belief, and a bridge between tradition and transformation.
Preserving Over 400 Years of Craftsmanship — Uncovering the Untapped Potential of India’s Glassmaking Heritage.
Empowering rural artisans — especially women — to take small, meaningful steps toward pride, dignity, and purpose through their craft, by creating space where they feel seen, respected, and valued.
Challenging perceptions that see craft as mere labour.
Giving recognition to those whose work speaks, even when they haven’t been heard.
Our Mission
Craft Is the Journey, Not Just the Product. A
Process of Shaping, Honouring, and Becoming just like our lives.
- Skill training rooted in tradition and innovation
- Artistic collaborations that elevate handmade work
- Mental health and gender-focused support
- Public engagement to change perception and policy
We look forward to inspiring change and fostering growth in individuals and
communities through the transformative power of glass art.
Our Vision
At Glass Sutra, we believe that when craft is nurtured with intention,
it becomes more than just the creation of beautiful objects
it becomes a force for justice, connection, and transformation.
We envision a future where:
- Endangered crafts like glass cane and bead making are preserved, reimagined, and revitalized through artistic innovation and public participation
- Women and artisans from underserved communities are recognized as leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs, shaping their own futures and influencing the world of design.
- Craft becomes a language — of identity, resilience, mental well-being, and economic justice.
- The intersection of craft, design, and social impact stands as a global model for inclusive and sustainable cultural development.
At our core, we believe
Craft is more than a skill. It is a voice. A history. A path to empowerment.
Inception
Years of hands-on work laid the foundation for this initiative:
One of our earliest collaborative projects, Ashtori (from Asht, meaning "eight", and Dori, meaning "thread"), was a powerful story woven with Ahimsa silk and the spirit of sisterhood.
In partnership with women weavers from Northeast India, we created a unique collection that intertwined their traditional threads with my contemporary glasswork — an artistic dialogue between heritage and innovation. Ashtori became a celebration of shared stories, cultural identity, and resilience in a region that is often politically and geographically fragmented, yet emotionally and culturally deeply connected.
Some of these remarkable artisans even traveled to Delhi, where they worked side by side with glass — forging a new language of craft, collaboration, and creative unity.
This spirit of collaboration and co-creation continues to shape every Glass Sutra Foundation initiative.
Project in Pipeline
Maa is a movement for change. A call to end female foeticide, uplift the girl child, and empower women and single mothers across India. In a world where women are reshaping history, millions still remain unseen and unheard. Maa stands for the right to be born, respected, and valued, not for her roles, but for who she is. Through awareness, education, and celebration of every girl’s birth, we are not just addressing injustice, we are rewriting the narrative of dignity, identity, and equality.
Naayaab is more than a workshop. It’s a transformative journey into resilience, self-discovery, and strength. Using the art of hot glassmaking as a metaphor, it empowers individuals, especially young and emotionally affected children to turn vulnerability into power. Through creative expression and guided therapeutic experiences, Naayaab helps participants face the world with confidence, explore fearlessly, and shine with individuality. Here, fragility finds form, and pain becomes possibility, shaping each person into something truly Naayaab: rare, unbreakable, and unapologetically unique.
Purdalnagar, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, holds a 400 year old legacy of glass cane and bead making using ancient wood-fired furnaces. My presentation at the Glass Art Conference in The USA in May 2025 highlighted efforts to revive and improve this tradition through the use of compatible glass and refined techniques. The project aims to place Purdalnagar on the global glassmaking map, enhance artisan skills, and improve sustainability and quality in production. By empowering local craftsmen and preserving cultural heritage, this initiative will open up new economic and creative opportunities for the community.
Collobarate with us
Join us in shaping change through art, craft, and community.
Partner with us by offering financial, technical, or creative support for our ongoing and upcoming initiatives.
