Asti and Anu: A sister duo empowering weavers & preserving tradition.
It’s not every day that one encounters young women who defy family and societal expectations to pursue their true passions. MOSAIC had the pleasure of connecting with Asti and AnuBhagat, two dynamic sisters who, apart from managing their family’s hospitality business in Kolkata, have successfully established KhatKhat Handlooms —a homegrown brand dedicated to creating unique Kantha sarees. The brand is deeply committed to preserving this traditional art form while ensuring that the weaver community is fairly compensated for their intricate and labour-intensive work.
Asti, 34, and Anu, 25, are young, ambitious, and deeply rooted in their values. They have carved out a space for themselves in the heritage fashion industry, driven by a passion for handlooms and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the community. The conversation with these fearless entrepreneurs begins with a discussion about their love for handlooms and the beautiful weave that gave birth to KhatKhat Handlooms. Asti, a fashion graduate from Pearl Academy, has always been passionate about designing. During her college years and in her professional career in the fast fashion industry, she earned recognition and awards for her innovative designs, which were chosen by renowned brands such as Jimmy Choo, Zara, and H&M. Despite her success, Asti found herself at a juncture when her family encouraged her to leave her career behind and get married. However, she boldly refused, determined to continue her work in fashion and in a more meaningful way. She took a creative break which allowed her to rediscover her purpose, and she soon found herself drawn to the traditional sarees her mother owned and beautifully wore. This led her to explore the world of Kantha weavers. Through her frequent interactions with weaver families, Asti discovered that many were abandoning their craft due to unfair compensation. Recognizing the exploitation and the injustice, she knew she had to take action. This realization marked the beginning of KhatKhat Handlooms, a brand that not only showcases the beauty of Kantha sarees but also supports the weaver community by providing fair wages.
Anu, Asti’s younger sister and an MBA graduate from Christ College Bengaluru, joined her sister in this venture, encouraging her to pursue her dream and fully commit to the business. Anu passionately explains, “It’s unfortunate that weavers are exploited and not paid fairly. A single saree can take two to three months, and the skill and long hours involved are immense. Much of the embroidery work is done by hand, so it’s no wonder that many weavers feel cheated and lose motivation.” A typical day for Asti starts early. She leaves her home in Kolkata around 4 or 5 in the morning and drives three to four hours to reach the weaver villages. Once there, she visits multiple homes, sitting with the weavers one by one to guide them through the design process.
When asked about the name “KhatKhat,” Asti shares a touching story: “When I was searching for the brand name, nothing stood out. I almost gave up. Then one day, while I was at a weaver’s home, I sat down to meditate, silently praying to God to help us find a suitable name.
The place was always noisy, with the khat-khat sound of the looms all around. Suddenly, it came to me—it’s the very soul and essence of the loom, noise to sound ‘khat-khat.’ So, we named it KhatKhat Handlooms.
Additionally, each time I visit the weavers, their village homes have wooden doors with an iron latch that makes the same sound – ‘khat-khat.’ So you see it’s at the core of the entire process. Nothing starts without that sound.”
immense satisfaction and pride in working with the weavers. They are committed to advancing the art form and contributing to the community in meaningful ways. Asti notes that many women in the villages who do embroidery work are now financially independent, which she considers their greatest achievement. “Each weaving household has four to five members working on looms, and now
with enough work, they no longer think of leaving their inherited inter-generational craft to pursue jobs in new markets where they have no skills or opportunities.” Anu adds, “The weavers know us, they treat us like family, and they show sheer exuberance every time we visit them with new orders. In just four years, we’ve established a company driven by values and passion.” As the conversation draws to a close, it’s clear that KhatKhat Handlooms is not just a brand; it’s an inspiring example of the power of tradition, community, and the persistent spirit of two sisters determined to make a difference.