Art of Happyness Utsav, Nexus Mall, Seawoods
Date: July 2025
Visitors dived into India’s rich craft heritage at this vibrant 4-day celebration.
They met authentic artisans, shopped for unique handcrafted goods, joined engaging workshops, and enjoyed live entertainment. The Art of Happyness Utsav transformed Nexus Seawoods into a cultural haven with over 25 curated stalls showcasing handcrafted products by talented women artisans from across the country. This initiative was designed to build direct connections between traditional artisans and urban India, enabling artisans to access new markets and meet their consumers face-to-face. There were no middlemen involved, and it was a not-for-profit collaboration aimed at supporting livelihoods, celebrating handmade crafts, and sustaining cultural heritage.
Recognising the Faces Behind Every Creation
Impact of the Art of Happyness Utsav
25 artisans
Rs. 19 lakhs+ revenue generated
20 crafts supported
A celebration of heritage, sustainability, and intelligent design.
This is a handcrafted kandeel - a unique chandelier and centerpiece of a stunning installation at Nexus Seawoods, in collaboration with EkiBeki Association.
This is a part of the Art of Happyness Utsav held in July 2025, that transformed Nexus Seawoods into a cultural haven with over 25 curated stalls showcasing handcrafted products by talented women artisans from across the country.
At its heart are traditional Bohada masks from Nashik, Maharashtra, The art form comes from the word Bohada, meaning “procession” in Marathi, is a traditional tribal festival featuring vibrant parades where performers wear the handcrafted papier-mâché masks representing gods, demons, animals, and mythological figures. Rooted in the traditions of communities like the Warli, Katkari, and Mahadev Koli, Bohada is both a spiritual and cultural celebration.
This rare papier-mâché art form, preserved and practiced by just one family and five artisans, the Bohada remains a striking symbol of Maharashtra’s folk heritage and the power of living tradition. These masks honor vibrant folk traditions and celebrate Maharashtra’s rich storytelling culture.
The ropes you see? They’re made from preloved sarees, created in partnership with Jungola - a brand that reimagines India’s ecological heritage through lifestyle products like matka, surahi, jaali, and morha.
Integrated lighting within the frame radiates outward, casting expressive patterns of light and shadow - enhancing the immersive experience and deepening the dialogue between tradition and innovation.
More than just an installation -
This is a living legacy of Indian craftsmanship.
It champions:
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Grassroots empowerment
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Ecological responsibility
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Sustained artisanal livelihoods
A bold vision of sustainable design, rooted in culture.
SHOPPED, LEARNT, EXPERIENCED!
Visitors shopped for authentic crafts thoughtfully designed for contemporary lifestyles, learnt about traditional craft practices through hands-on workshops, and experienced live performances and artisan demonstrations.
From interactive photo booths and delicious food to engaging activities and cultural experiences, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Shopping authentic crafts, designed for modern aesthetics
Learn the history as you create your masterpieces at workshops
Live entertainment and demonstrations
Photo booths to food,
Fun for all !!
Hands behind the crafts
These hands once shaped heritage. Over time, many artisans were forced to leave their crafts behind and take up unskilled labour in cities. At EkiBeki, we helped bring those hands back—to clay, copper, colour, and creativity. Back to their craft and dignity.
Visitors had the opportunity to meet the artisans helping preserve India's rich craft traditions, one handmade creation at a time. Every purchase and interaction made a meaningful difference.
Choti Tekam
After moving to Bhopal post-marriage, Choti was inspired by the city’s artists and began painting deer, her favourite. Since 2018, she and her husband Santosh have worked with EkiBeki on workshops, products, and the Indore Starbucks wall art.
Gond
Chetan Gangavane
Chitrakathi
A miniature artist traditionally from Bhilwara, Rajasthan and now resides in Udaipur. He learnt the art from his maternal grandfather and his forefathers had been indulged in the art form since generations.
Dhuli KATARA, Managing four children and a flourishing art practice, Dhuli paints daily and draws inspiration from everyday life and nature. Her bright color palette and playful animal motifs bring freshness to Bhil tradition.
Bhill
Dhuli Katara
and more...
EkiBeki Workshops
Each workshop offered an experience similar to stepping into a human library, where participants learnt not only the craft but also the traditions, challenges, and personal journeys behind it.
More than a craft session, it was an opportunity to connect with the stories and lives of artisans who keep these skills alive. Workshops were intentionally kept small to encourage meaningful conversations and deeper engagement.
Venue map
Participants planned their experiences in advance so they didn't miss out on any exciting activities, workshops, performances, or demonstrations.
Few glimpses
About Art of Happyness
Most of us are familiar with Renaissance painters, much more than ethnic Indian art and handcrafted!!
As a step towards bringing back the pride in our handcrafted splendor, The Art of Happyness Utsav is a journey of exploring Indian history through our ethnic art forms. This unique exhibition also creates the space for art installations to browse through, workshops to participate in, live performances to enjoy.
The Utsav blends artistry with purpose, empowering rural and tribal women through economic opportunity and cultural pride, while showcasing trendy, handcrafted products that resonate with contemporary tastes. To be held at Nexus Seawoods, Navi Mumbai.
This is a CSR initiative by SELECT INFRASTRUCTURE PRIVATE LIMITED.
EkiBeki is a Hybrid Social Enterprise committed to creating sustainable livelihoods at scale through traditional crafts. Our mission is to identify and revive Indian crafts that are on the verge of extinction, providing artisans with the tools they need to sustain and grow their communities. Through design interventions, skill-building, product development, market expansion, and self-governance mechanisms, we help ensure that these traditional crafts thrive while artisans remain connected to their roots and family.
Craft. Design. Lives
