Udyog Mandir, Amer, Jaipur
The organization Udyog Mandir was founded in 1949 by Dr. Shri Kalyan Baksh Ji Sharma with an initial capital of twenty-seven thousand rupees. At the time, life in Rajasthan was deeply dependent on natural conditions, and recurring famines had become an inseparable part of rural existence. Khadi and Village Industries emerged as a powerful means to address these challenges, providing large-scale employment to traditional rural artisans at their homes with limited resources, creating opportunities for semi-employment during non-agricultural periods, and reducing migration from villages.
Despite numerous challenges, Udyog Mandir has made remarkable progress over the past five decades, steadily expanding its activities and outreach.
The organization’s work first began in Johri Bazar, Jaipur. In 1957, operations were shifted to Amer, the historic capital of Jaipur, nestled amidst small hills on the Jaipur–Delhi highway.
Products of Udyog Mandir
Quilted Jackets
The KI produces a wide range of quilted jackets in block-prints and Dabu prints. Cotton Khadi fabric is sourced from different KIs and printed using traditional Sanganeri block prints from Jaipur and Dabu printing from Akola near Chittorgarh.
Woolen Shawls
Merino wool shawls and fabrics form one of the major production areas at Udyog Mandir. The kora shawls and stoles, produced in various sizes, are woven on traditional looms using twill and plain weaves. These pieces are later sent for tie-dying, block printing, or sold in their natural form.
Printed Apparels
Udyog Mandir also produces a wide range of apparel for both men and women. Block-printed cotton fabrics are transformed into men’s shirts and kurtas, as well as women’s garments such as cord-sets, kurtas, tops and bottoms.
Punni Making Plant
The institute procures sliver and processes it into roving (punni) at its roving-making plant in Shahpura, Rajasthan. Equipped with roving machines, the plant converts sliver into roving for further use. Imported Merino wool is sourced from Grasim Industries, India, while poly-cotton is procured from Ludhiana.
Know your Khadi Institution
Spinning
Udyog Mandir engages around 80 spinners from villages surrounding its production units. The majority of these spinners are women, who hand-spin yarn at their homes using 8-spindle NMC Charkhas. Raw material is supplied to them, and the finished yarn is later collected from their homes. The spinners primarily produce yarn in counts ranging from 20s to 36s.
Weaving
The institution has around 180 weavers associated with it, primarily men from nearby villages, belonging to the Bunkar and Meena communities. Most are generational weavers working at the production units. They typically weave 8–10 hours a day, producing about 6–8 metres of fabric daily, depending on their comfort and pace. The weavers prepare their own warps and are paid separately for warping.
Printing
The Khadi Institution began printing its fabrics only a few years ago. Currently, it focuses mainly on block printing with pigments and Dabu printing using natural colours. The printing unit is located at Kaladera, Rajasthan, about 60 kilometres from Jaipur near Chomu. The designs feature simple traditional Sanganeri prints, with blocks ranging from 2 to 5 colours per design.
Stitching
The stitching unit, Craft Women Producer Company, is located in Paharganj, Jaipur. This NGO-run facility undertakes job work for the KI and provides a complete manufacturing solution that includes pattern-making, cutting, embellishment, stitching, finishing, and packaging. The unit specializes in women’s apparel, bags, cushion covers, toys, and more.
From the looms of Udyog Mandir, Amer, Jaipur
Handmade with pride by the artisans of Khadi Institutions
.png)
