A Celebration of Textile Heritage, Devotion & Artisan Empowerment
New Delhi, Apr 28: RSB Foundation, the CSR arm of the RSB Group, today unveiled Project Tantavyaa: Shwet Shyam at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy. The gathering brought together India’s textile legacy, cultural leadership, and artisan communities, with a clear focus on reviving and supporting traditional textiles through sustainable, community-led initiatives.
Rooted in the textile traditions of Odisha, Bengal, and Assam, Shwet Shyam is a craft-led cultural experience inspired by the values of Swabhiman (dignity), Shaktikaran (empowerment), and Sankirtan (devotion). The initiative places strong emphasis on bringing handloom traditions back into focus while creating sustainable livelihoods for artisan communities, particularly women. The showcase will continue until 2nd May 2026, offering an immersive journey into India’s textile heritage and cultural legacy.
The evening opened with a traditional Mangalacharan performance. The inauguration was graced by the Chief Guest, Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who spoke about the importance of preserving India’s craft heritage in line with the vision of Swadeshi 2.0 and the Five-F value chain.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, Government of India said: “As we move towards a more self-reliant India, it is initiatives like these that reinforce the value of Swadeshi, ensuring our traditional crafts continue to thrive in a modern, global context.” This was followed by addresses by Ms. Priyanka Behera, Director – CSR, RSB Group, and Pankaj S. Chadha, outlining how sustainable, community-led approaches can help bring rare textile traditions back into practice.
A key highlight of the evening was the book launch and address by His Holiness Indradyumna Swami Ji, adding a spiritual dimension to the showcase. The event also witnessed the presence of eminent royals, including HH Maharani Radhika Raje Gaekwad of Baroda, Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji of Udaipur, Maharani Nivriti Kumari of Udaipur, Yuvrani Meenal Kumari Singh Deo of Dhenkanal, Kunwarani Ritu Ajatshatru Singh and Celebrity Astrologer & Vastu Expert Dr. Jai Madaan , reinforcing the cultural significance of the initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Priyanka Behera, Director – CSR, RSB Group, said: “Tantavyaa is about restoring pride to our artisans and ensuring that craft becomes a sustainable source of livelihood, especially for women. Shwet Shyam reflects our commitment to reviving traditional textiles through community-led efforts that create long-term impact.”
Curated under Project Tantavyaa, the showcase brings together over 100 handcrafted textile pieces, presenting India’s heritage crafts as living traditions supported by sustainable ecosystems. The evening concluded with a presentation of Dhenkanal’s culinary heritage from Odisha, extending the celebration beyond textiles.
