KARIGAR
Karigar is an Indian handicraft e-commerce platform and affiliate of Asha Handicrafts Association (founded 1975), selling handcrafted home decor, jewelry, textiles, and kitchen items through karigar.in to individual consumers and corporate gifting clients, while supporting thousands of traditional artisans via fair-trade practices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersVasai (east), Palghar, India
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What KARIGAR does
Karigar is an Indian e-commerce platform operated as an affiliate brand of Asha Handicrafts Association, a non-profit organization established in 1975 to support, train, and economically empower traditional Indian artisans. The company runs a direct-to-consumer storefront at karigar.in alongside a corporate gifting and bulk-order sales channel, serving individual consumers seeking unique handcrafted items and enterprise buyers purchasing for events, celebrations, and festivities. Its catalog spans home decor (ceramic planters, mandala coasters, spectacle stands, jewellery boxes), kitchen accessories (marble chopping boards, wooden trays, cutlery), jewelry (handmade stone necklaces and earrings), textiles (Kashmiri woolen stoles, recycled cotton throws, indigo cushion covers), desk accessories (table tops, mobile stands), and games (chess, maze games), all produced by a network of thousands of artisans and sourced under fair-trade practices with reinvestment into education, healthcare, and skill development.
The underlying technology is intentionally minimal: Karigar is positioned as a traditional handicraft marketplace rather than a technology platform, with no proprietary software, AI/ML components, mobile apps, or APIs disclosed. Distribution runs through a WordPress-based website with an inquiry form for catalog requests and custom orders rather than transparent transactional checkout, complemented by organic social media presence on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Marketing relies on artisan and craft storytelling content published on the site to drive engagement rather than paid acquisition.
The business model is one-time sales of handcrafted physical goods, with revenue mechanics split between individual consumer purchases and corporate bulk gifting orders. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled via inquiry. As a non-profit affiliate, surplus is reinvested into artisan welfare programs rather than distributed to investors, and no venture funding, acquisitions, or leadership changes are disclosed in the available data. The company is headquartered in Vasai (east), Palghar, India, under the Asha Handicrafts Association umbrella.
KARIGAR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KARIGAR
- Legal name
- Asha Handicrafts Association
- Website
- https://karigar.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Karigar is an Indian handicraft e-commerce platform and affiliate of Asha Handicrafts Association (founded 1975), selling handcrafted home decor, jewelry, textiles, and kitchen items through karigar.in to individual consumers and corporate gifting clients, while supporting thousands of traditional artisans via fair-trade practices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KARIGAR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Handcrafted Indian Handicrafts
- NAICS
- Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (33991), Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (339910), Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (45913)
- SIC
- Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Jewelry, Silverware & Plated Ware (3910)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven) (CRAKABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Artisan/Hand-Fabricated One-of-a-Kind Jewelry (CRAKAHAI), Needlepoint & Embroidery Shops (CRALADAE)
Keywords
Where KARIGAR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vasai (east), Palghar
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
KARIGAR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Handcrafted Product Sales: One-time transaction sales of handcrafted Indian handicrafts including home decor, jewelry, textiles, and gift items through their e-commerce platform. Products are sold directly to consumers and corporate buyers seeking unique artisanal items.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
KARIGAR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Karigar is an e-commerce affiliate of Asha Handicrafts Association that markets and sells handcrafted Indian artisan products across home decor, kitchen accessories, jewelry, textiles, desk accessories, and games categories. The platform sources handmade creations from a network of thousands of Indian artisans, serves both individual consumers seeking unique artisanal items and corporate buyers seeking customized gifting solutions, and reinvests revenues into artisan welfare, education, healthcare, and skill development.
Product overview
KARIGAR is an e-commerce platform affiliated with Asha Handicrafts Association (supporting Indian artisans since 1975) that offers a diverse portfolio of handcrafted Indian products. The platform operates as a marketplace connecting artisans with consumers, featuring products across multiple categories including Home Decor (ceramic planters, trivets, coaster sets, spectacle stands, jewellery boxes, coat hangers), Kitchen Accessories (marble chopping boards, wooden trays, serving trays, wooden cutlery items), Jewelry (handmade necklaces, earrings), Textiles (Kashmiri woolen stoles, cushion covers, recycled throws), Desk Accessories (table tops, mobile stands), and Games (chess games, maze games, maze key chains). The company focuses on preserving traditional Indian handicraft heritage while providing artisans with market access. Products are categorized into Home Decor, Kitchen Accessories, Jewelry, Textiles, Desk Accessories, and Games categories. The platform does not appear to have a unified software product with modules; rather, it serves as a curated marketplace for artisan-created physical products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ceramic Pot Planter Ceramic planters with graceful curved body and sturdy pedestal base, featuring premium glaze for luxurious shine and moisture protection, suitable for homes, offices, hotels, and cafés.
- Necklace Stone Handcrafted stone necklace combining natural elegance with skilled artisan craftsmanship, featuring unique stone detailing for casual and festive occasions.
- Kashmiri Woolen Stole Handcrafted Kashmiri woolen stole featuring paisley and floral motifs in blue and ivory shades, soft and lightweight for casual and festive occasions.
- Wooden Cutlery Items Intricately crafted wooden cutlery items in charming shapes for kitchen use, adorned with exquisite carvings.
- Dressing Table Set Collection of horn-based frames, boxes, and trays ideal for home decor and gifting at special occasions.
- Mango Wood Table Tops Mango wood table tops featuring mandala designs.
- Marble Chopping Boards Handcrafted marble chopping boards in round, pineapple, and square shapes with bumpers or handles, treated with food-grade mineral oil for kitchen and multipurpose use.
- Handmade Earrings Handcrafted earrings by skilled artisans blending traditional artistry with contemporary style, featuring beautifully set stones in durable metal frames.
- Handmade Necklaces Handcrafted necklaces by skilled artisans featuring dyed and natural stones, cornelian, iron chain with gold color, and varied designs for traditional and contemporary looks.
- Wooden Coaster Sets Handcrafted mango wood and sheesham wood coaster sets with carved mandala, tree of life, and geometric designs featuring white wash burnt finish, available with or without matching containers.
- Wooden Trivets Handcrafted mango wood and sesham wood trivets with carved mandala, tree of life, and bird designs providing protection for hot plates, pots, and pans with rustic finish.
- Cushion Cover Square cotton cushion cover featuring indigo dye with dabu technique and hand-block floral print design, with concealed zipper, size 40 x 40 cm.
- Recycled Cotton Throws Soft, elegant, and sustainable recycled cotton throws in various designs and colors, size W 125 x L 150 cm, for multipurpose home use.
- Wooden Spectacle Stands Handcrafted wooden spectacle stands made by skilled Indian artisans using traditional woodworking techniques, including Sheesham, Tunwood, Mango wood, and Papriwood variants, with designs such as Mr. & Mrs. themed holders.
- Mandala Art Coaster Handcrafted coaster set inspired by Mandala art, carved and finished by skilled artisans, featuring intricate patterns symbolizing harmony and positive energy.
- Tree of Life Recipe Book Holder Recipe book holder handcrafted by skilled Indian artisans from sustainably sourced wood, featuring the Tree of Life design symbolizing wisdom, growth, and family heritage.
- Guitar Shape Wooden Chopping Board Joint wood (Sesham/Mango/Papri) chopping board in guitar shape, treated with WATCO food grade mineral oil, size 42.5 x 28.5 x 2 cm.
- Wooden Maze Games and Key Chains Handcrafted sesham wood maze games and Sheesham wood key chain maze games (owl-shaped), compact entertainment items handcrafted by artisans.
- Wooden Mobile Stands Handcrafted mango wood mobile stands featuring carved mandala or abstract stripe designs with brass patti fittings, suitable for desk use.
- Wooden Serving Trays Handcrafted mango wooden trays with carved mandala and floral designs, suitable for serving and home use, dimensions 14x9x2 inches.
- Wooden Jewellery Box Handcrafted mango wood jewellery box carved on top for jewelry storage, size 17.7 x 12.5 x 6.6 cm.
- Handcrafted Chess Game Seesham wood chess box with drawer and Papri wood accents, serving as a handcrafted game and storage solution for chess pieces, dimensions L-15 x W-15 x HT-4 cm.
- Wooden Coat Hangers and Wall Hooks Handcrafted mango wood coat hangers and wall hooks featuring carved geometric and mandala designs with white wash burnt finish, single or multiple iron hooks in black powder coated finish.
- Customized Handcrafted Corporate Gifting Orders Customized handcrafted products assembled for corporate clients for gifting, events, celebrations, and festivities, sourced through the Asha Handicrafts artisan network and fulfilled via direct sales.
Companies that use KARIGAR
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KARIGAR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KARIGAR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Asha Handicrafts AssociationcoreKarigar is an affiliate of Asha Handicrafts Association that has been supporting Indian artisans since 1975. The parent organization is committed to the preservation, protection, and promotion of Indian handicrafts and the artisans behind them. Asha Handicrafts provides the umbrella organization for Karigar's operations.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KARIGAR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Uncommon Goods: Online retailer of unique, often handcrafted or artisan-made gifts, home goods, and jewelry. Comparable in gifting-led catalog and curated product positioning, though with less emphasis on a fair-trade/social-impact narrative.
Direct peers
- The Citizenry: Direct-to-consumer home decor brand producing ethically sourced, artisan-made textiles, tableware, and decor. Comparable in mission-driven positioning and curated artisan catalog, though The Citizenry focuses on a more modern, premium aesthetic.
- NOVICA: Online marketplace connecting global consumers with handcrafted artisan products, with particularly strong presence in Indian crafts. Directly competes in the same category with similar SKU breadth (home decor, jewelry, textiles) and a comparable social-impact narrative.
- SERRV International: Non-profit fair-trade organization selling handcrafted products from artisans in developing countries through its online store and catalog. Highly comparable in non-profit structure, fair-trade mission, and multi-category artisan catalog including home decor and jewelry.
- Craftsvilla: Indian online marketplace specializing in handcrafted ethnic products including sarees, jewelry, home decor, and gifts. Comparable in product categories, artisan supply base, and India-focused sourcing, though operating at a larger scale.
- Jaypore: India-based e-commerce platform curating handcrafted products from Indian artisans across home, jewelry, textiles, and accessories. Direct competitor with overlapping artisan network, category mix, and target audience of culturally engaged consumers.
- Ten Thousand Villages: One of the largest fair-trade retailer networks globally, sourcing handcrafted products from artisan groups in developing countries. Directly comparable to Karigar in mission, fair-trade positioning, and multi-category artisan catalog including home decor, jewelry, and textiles.
- Made Trade: Ethical online marketplace offering fair-trade, vegan, and sustainably made home goods, jewelry, and accessories. Comparable in fair-trade mission and curated artisan catalog with overlapping customer segment.
Broad incumbents
- Etsy: The largest global marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, including Indian handcrafts and artisan jewelry. Competes broadly for the same customer wallet but at vastly greater scale and with a vastly broader (and less curated) artisan base.
Others
- Fair Trade Federation: Industry association representing fair-trade businesses and artisan cooperatives in North America. Not a direct seller but the certifying body that frames Karigar's fair-trade positioning and includes many peer retailers in its membership.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KARIGAR social profiles
Digital presenceKARIGAR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KARIGAR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KARIGAR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KARIGAR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KARIGAR
What does KARIGAR do?
Karigar is an e-commerce affiliate of Asha Handicrafts Association that markets and sells handcrafted Indian artisan products across home decor, kitchen accessories, jewelry, textiles, desk accessories, and games categories. The platform sources handmade creations from a network of thousands of Indian artisans, serves both individual consumers seeking unique artisanal items and corporate buyers seeking customized gifting solutions, and reinvests revenues into artisan welfare, education, healthcare, and skill development.
Is KARIGAR a public or private company?
KARIGAR is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was KARIGAR founded?
KARIGAR was founded in 1975. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KARIGAR based?
KARIGAR is headquartered in Vasai (east), Palghar, India, in the Asia region.
How does KARIGAR make money?
One revenue line is on record: handcrafted Product Sales.
Who are KARIGAR's main competitors?
Uncommon Goods is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are The Citizenry, NOVICA, SERRV International, Craftsvilla, Jaypore, Ten Thousand Villages and Made Trade. Etsy is listed as a broad incumbent. Fair Trade Federation is listed as an others.
Does KARIGAR have an API?
No public API is recorded for KARIGAR.
What industry is KARIGAR in?
KARIGAR's product category is Handcrafted Indian Handicrafts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAKABAD, Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven), with a secondary code of CRAKAHAI, Artisan/Hand-Fabricated One-of-a-Kind Jewelry. Its NAICS code is 33991 and its SIC code is 3960.