Destinations Magazine

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities

By Rashmi Gopal Rao

It is often said that whenever you buy anything handmade, you are not just buying a product but supporting a family, a small business and a community.  More importantly you are supporting their art, knowledge, creativity and in short their dreams.  Given that diversity is the essence of India, our handicrafts too are a reflection of the immense diversity that exists in our country.  Influenced by local culture, customs and traditions, handicrafts are unique to each region and is a reflection of the ample talent that exists in every nook and corner of India.  Celebrating this creativity and interesting conversations from tiny villages and small towns is iTokri.com.

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and CommunitiesWooden toys: Pic courtsey iTokri.com

Unique Platform for Art and Artisans

iTokri.com brings together artisans from all over the country and provides them a platform where they can showcase their talents and sell their products at a global level.  iTokri.com is all about sustainability, fair trade, entrepreneurship and innovation.  By giving artisans a chance to display their products, it plays an important role in nurturing their creative spirit while preserving the rich legacy of local crafts. On the site you can find several niche handicrafts and art forms that are rare and even dying.  More than 500 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, craft organizations and NGOs are supported by iTokri.com.

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtsey iTokri.com

Wide Vareity of Products

At iTokri.com one can find a wide variety of products ranging from clothes, furnishings, jewellery, accessories, art, artefacts,  stationery, kitchenware, and even face masks!  All products reflect the rich cultural heritage of native handicrafts and are impeccably finished.  With attention to detail and quality, all products are from authetic sources.  Clothes include running fabric, sarees, stoles, kurtas, salwar sets etc in a plethora of handlooms including ikkat, tussar, phulkari, bhagalpuri, kota, chanderi, weaves from north east etc.

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtesy: iTokri.com
Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtesy: iTokri.com

Furnishings include cushion covers and bedsheets.  Home decor and kitchen items include towels, artefacts and home utilities.  It is also a great place to pick up traditional jewellery, paintings, artwork, accessories and even stationery.

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtsey iTokri.com

Exclusive Features

The best part about the site is the availability of products from exclusive vendors like Aurobindo Ashram from Ponidcherry which is my personal favorite.  I usually buy my year’s supply of incense sticks, cones and essential oils each time I visit this erstwhile French colony.  But due to the lockdown and pandemic,  I have’nt visited this beach town in close to two years and hence had run out of my supplies.  I was pleasantly surprised to see them available and quickly ordered more than my usual quota!

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtesy: iTokri.com

Gift hampers pertaining to specific festivals whether Karwa Chauth or Diwali is also another unique feature which is super convenient and handy when it comes to last minute shopping.  You can also buy their readily available gift cards which again is a good idea.

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities
Pic courtesy: iTokri.com

The whole site is friendly to use and extremely useful whether you want to search for products, track your order status or search for art forms etc.  So, what are you waiting for? Visit iTokri.com and happy shopping!

Review: iTokri.com – Celebrating Crafts, Creativity and Communities

Pic courtesy: iTokri.com

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Disclaimer: This post was made possible by iTokri.com; opinions as always are mine.


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