Kunal Kapoor supports artisans in Mumbai through crowdfunding

While Covid-19 has brought the world to a halt, there are good samaritans across every sector ensuring people are taken care of. Actors Kunal Kapoor and Varun Seth, too, are raising relief funds for the artisans in Mumbai’s Dharavi through the fundraising platform Ketto helmed by them. Indian craftspeople and artisans, through their creativity, have put India on the global fashion map. It’s time now that we support and ensure their safety. Kapoor believes that in times like these, it is important for everyone to stand united in the fight against Covid-19, and help the ones in need. “The nationwide lockdown imposed in India to help contain the [Sars-cov-2] virus outbreak has left labourers, artisans and craftspeople without jobs. Dharavi in Mumbai is a hub for small businesses and has been hit the hardest in the city owing to the large population that resides there,” says Kapoor.

The Chamar, a historically ostracised group of artisans belonging to the Dalit community, has also been affected by the pandemic. The Chamar Studio by Sudheer Rajbhar, who supports the community in Dharavi, says, “This fundraiser is really important for us because the pandemic and the lockdown has undoubtedly hit the artisans quite hard. While no one has been affected by the virus as yet in our team, we are worried about the economic situation at the same time, as many artisans support large families on a limited monthly income. This crowdfunding campaign on Ketto is to support artisans and

Chamar pvt ltd company, too,” adds Rajbhar.

Viineet Kumar

Kunal Kapoor

Sharad Kelkar

An artisan of The Chamar Studio