--- title: "Stories Behind Our Craft - From the Founder's Desk | Varnam" description: "Explore the inspirations and heritage that fuel Varnam Craft Collective. From Chettinad roots to artisan partnerships, discover the story behind our handcrafted designs." canonical: https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/from-the-founder-s-desk last_updated: 2025-09-12 --- # Stories From the Founder's Desk Tribe Verified · A decade of preserving Indian heritage. By [Varnam Craft Collective](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective) · Stores in Bengaluru, Mysuru & Goa; Ships across India · ₹850 per set (estimate) Part of [Handcrafted Home Decor & Kitchenware](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/gallery) Discover the heritage, childhood memories, and artisan connections that define Varnam Craft Collective. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Varnam stands for 'colors', and my journey began with the colourful, kitsch influences of my childhood in Chettinad. This video is the story of how those memories, combined with a lineage of creative women in my family, led to the birth of Varnam.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7c2b4dd8-0677-4db8-8425-f13ec847541d) - [Video: What makes a home truly yours? For me, it was about weaving together memories and heritage. My first apartment, 'Sweet Abode', was a tribute to my Chettinad roots, and it was there that the seeds of Varnam were truly sown.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/205df4b6-732e-45ab-bd3a-f85e6f6cea5a) - ![I'm Karthik, the founder of Varnam. It took me a long time to realize my work was not a fluke, but an amalgamation of my passion for design and the influence of a lineage of creative Chettiar women. This is a bit of my story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/730f01a3-6add-4a83-b80e-4f40c51ba1fc) - [Video: This is an ode to my mother and grandmother, two incredible women who shaped my creative journey. My mother's skill in tailoring and my grandmother's in basket weaving laid the foundation for Varnam and my love for crafts.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/de1fce4d-30bf-4769-b0f0-9758a9c15dfb) - [Video: This is part two of our 'Unscripted' series with stand-up comedian Sonu Venugopaal. We explore how growing up in North Karnataka, amidst crafts like Kasuti and Ilkal, shaped her identity and her appreciation for the work we do.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2697354f-9e9a-45bd-bf81-03110a186789) ## About From the Founder's Desk Every piece you see here, from our barni jars to our lamps, traces back to a specific memory or a conversation with our artisans. When you reach out to me, you are not just ordering a product—you are engaging with a piece of history that we have carefully revived to fit into your modern home. Varnam was never built for the algorithm. It was built for craft, for the people, and for the stories that deserve to be told. My journey began with childhood summers spent in Chettinad, surrounded by bold colours and the creative spirit of the women in my family. Those memories, from the scent of old spice jars to the rhythmic weaving of baskets, became the blueprint for everything we do. ### Why Our Design Whispers I believe design should not shout; it should whisper. Whether it is the curve of a Kuruvi bird or the vibrant lacquer finish on our Channapatna toys, there is a reason behind every detail. We blend 200-year-old lac-turnery techniques with functional, contemporary aesthetics, ensuring that every item is a piece of art meant to be used, not just admired. ### More Than Just Products When you bring a piece of Varnam home, you are supporting a community. We work closely with artisans like Pallavi, who leads her own unit in Channapatna, and Hameed, who has been with us for over 15 years. Their attachment—their 'lagaav'—is poured into every object. We exist because you walk in, value the hand-finished touch, and choose to keep a tradition alive. Whether you are looking for minimalist home decor, authentic Indian folk art, or unique corporate gifts, our collection is an invitation to slow down and appreciate the 'joy of just enough'. ### Our Philosophy - **Rooted in Heritage:** Drawing from Chettinad and Channapatna traditions. - **Honest Materials:** Sustainable wood, non-toxic dyes, and natural fabrics. - **Artisan-Centric:** Providing sustainable livelihoods for our makers. - **Functional Art:** Beautiful, usable pieces for your everyday life. ## About Varnam Craft Collective I am Karthik Vaidyanathan, founder of Varnam. I started this journey to bridge my corporate background with the craft legacy of my family, creating spaces that feel like homes, not showrooms. Today, I work alongside amazing artisans to keep traditional Indian crafts relevant in modern living. [See all of Varnam Craft Collective's services](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective) ## More from Handcrafted Home Decor & Kitchenware by Varnam Craft Collective - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/featured) - [The Channapatna Story: A Craft Reimagined](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/the-channapatna-story-a-craft-reimagined) - [The Hands Behind the Craft](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/the-hands-behind-the-craft) - [Kitchen & Dining: Functional Art for Your Table](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/kitchen-dining-functional-art-for-your-table) - [Earthy Ceramics: From Auroville with Love](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/earthy-ceramics-from-auroville-with-love) - [Decorative Dolls & Festive Traditions](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/decorative-dolls-festive-traditions) - [Lighting & Lamps: Handcrafted Glow](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/lighting-lamps-handcrafted-glow) - [Desk & Office Companions](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/desk-office-companions) - [Playful Pastimes: Handcrafted Games](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/playful-pastimes-handcrafted-games) - [Wall Accents & Home Decor](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/wall-accents-home-decor) - [A Touch of Whimsy: The Christmas Collection](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/a-touch-of-whimsy-the-christmas-collection) - [Indian Folk Art: Minimalist Modern Stories](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/indian-folk-art-minimalist-modern-stories) - [Our Homes: The Varnam Store Experience](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-home-decor-kitchenware/our-homes-the-varnam-store-experience) ## More services by Varnam Craft Collective - [Corporate Gifting](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/corporate-gifting) - [Handcrafted Apparel & Accessories](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/handcrafted-apparel-accessories) - [Artisan Toys & Traditional Games](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/artisan-toys-traditional-games) ## Similar work from other experts - [Our Story and Community](https://mytribe.in/thorny_affair/tableware-serveware/our-story-community) by Thorny Affair · Tableware & Serveware · Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes at Tharangini Studio](https://mytribe.in/tharangini-studio/custom-textile-development-production/additional-work-studio-life) by Tharangini Studio · Custom Textile Development & Production · Visit Studio in Sadashivnagar; Serves clients across India - [Handcrafted Indian Design & Artisanal Interiors](https://mytribe.in/maia.designstudio/luxury-residential-interior-design/the-artisan-s-hand-our-commitment-to-indian-craft) by Maia Design Studio · Luxury Residential Interior Design · Based in Sadashiva Nagar; Projects across Bengaluru & India - [Our Artisan Collective: The Faces Behind the Craft](https://mytribe.in/rangsutracrafts/handcrafted-gifts-accessories/our-artisan-collective) by Rangsutra Crafts · Handcrafted Gifts & Accessories · Ships across India; Visit stores in New Delhi and Bikaner - [Collectible Modern Indian Furniture and Art Pieces](https://mytribe.in/tuskerkatha/custom-furniture-design-build/the-art-of-storytelling-collectible-pieces) by Tusker Katha · Custom Furniture Design & Build · Visit Design Studio in Koramangala; Ships across India - [The Art Behind Our Handcrafted Bamboo](https://mytribe.in/aslibamboo/artisanal-home-decor-lighting/the-artisan-s-touch) by Asli Bamboo · Artisanal Home Decor & Lighting · Ships across India ## Book To book Varnam Craft Collective, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Handcrafted%20Home%20Decor%20%26%20Kitchenware%20by%20Varnam%20Craft%20Collective.) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. Put it in the link as `https://wa.me/916360004054?text=`.