From Home Hobby to 10,000 Blocks: A Designer's Tale

Nandita Raja, co-founder of Kanishka's, embarked on her textile design career in 1970 from her Kolkata residence. Lacking formal education, she cultivated her distinctive style through intuition, a deep appreciation for folk art, and hands-on engagement with craft traditions. Her initial efforts involved sourcing Bengal handloom fabrics and meticulously applying hand-mixed colors and carved blocks, a process she continues to this day.

Raja's commitment to traditional methods means she exclusively uses handloom textiles and traditional block printing, shunning digital techniques. She personally oversees every aspect of design, from color palettes to motif combinations, drawing inspiration from village travels and folk art. This unwavering dedication has led to the accumulation of nearly 10,000 unique printing blocks over more than 50 years.

Kanishka's officially began on August 15, 1970, starting quietly from Raja's home. The brand's foundation was built on local support, particularly from the discerning Bengali clientele in Kolkata, who appreciated its originality. Raja considers herself a textile designer, learning her craft from fabric, color masters, block cutters, and printers rather than formal institutions.