Charaka Women’s Multipurpose Industrial Co-operative Society supports women artisans through a cooperative-based livelihood system that combines employment, skill development, performance-linked incentives, and shared infrastructure.
Founded in 1997 and operating from Bhimanakone village in Karnataka, Charaka primarily works with women weavers, dyers, tailors, and allied workers across production and administrative roles.
Artisan support includes regular wage-based work, annual bonus allocation linked to production, training and internships, and access to common facilities such as testing labs, libraries, and guest infrastructure.
Systemic support, advocacy, and sector engagement are enabled by Desi Trust, while Charaka functions as the production and employment entity.

Who are the artisans supported by Charaka?

Charaka works with women artisans across the handloom value chain, including:

• Weavers
• Natural dyeing workers
• Pre-loom and post-loom workers
• Tailors and finishers
• Administrative and support staff

As of the mid-2020s, Charaka supports 600+ artisans, with expansion plans under funded livelihood programmes.

How does Charaka provide regular employment to women?

Charaka operates as a women’s multipurpose industrial cooperative, where members receive:

• Ongoing production-based work
• Skill-aligned task allocation
• Wages linked to role and output

Employment is structured to support rural women’s participation while allowing proximity to their villages and households.

How does the annual bonus programme at Charaka work?

Charaka provides an annual performance-linked bonus during the Deepavali festival.

Key features of the bonus system:

• Based on annual production achieved
• Applicable to all roles, including weaving, dyeing, tailoring, helpers, and admin staff
• Distributed in person by Desi Trust and Charaka managers

This system has been followed consistently to acknowledge contribution and encourage quality and continuity.

How does Charaka support skill development and training?

Charaka conducts structured and request-based workshops in:

• Natural dyeing
• Embroidery
• Wood block printing
• Tailoring and garment construction

Training programmes are delivered at Charaka Ashrama and production centres, often involving external practitioners and designers.

What internship and educational opportunities does Charaka provide?

Charaka offers internship and field-learning opportunities for students in:

• Diploma and BSc Fashion Design
• NIFT and NID programmes
• MA, MCom, and PhD research in rural development and women’s livelihoods
• School and college educational visits

The production centre includes a testing lab, conference room, and a library with 2,000+ books, accessible to students, designers, guests, and employees.

How does Charaka support women beyond wages?

Beyond income, Charaka provides access to:

• Shared production and testing infrastructure
• Design and quality support
• Cultural and community programmes
• Exposure through exhibitions and events

These systems contribute to long-term participation rather than short-term wage engagement.

What role does Desi Trust play in artisan welfare?

Desi Trust strengthens institutional continuity, funding access, and policy dialogue, while Charaka remains artisan- and production-focused.

Why is the cooperative model important for women artisans?

The cooperative structure enables:

• Collective decision-making
• Income stability across seasons
• Shared ownership of infrastructure
• Reduced dependency on external contractors

This model has allowed Charaka to sustain women-led handloom livelihoods for over two decades.

Verification Block

Data and programme information on this page was last reviewed and verified by Charaka in June 2026.