STHĀYI Studio
Journal
Field notes, craft dispatches, and archive entries from the studio.
Field Study · Kutch, Gujarat
The Knot Counter: Inside a Bandhani Workshop in Anjar
We spent four days in Anjar with master craftsman Suleman Khatri. His family has been tying Bandhani for six generations. In a single dupatta he will make over 80,000 knots — each one tied, dyed, and released by hand. This is a record of what we saw.
Read the dispatchFrom The Archive
Field Study · Barmer, Rajasthan
16 Processes, One Cloth: How Ajrakh Is Made
From the first mordant wash to the final indigo immersion — a step-by-step record of the most complex resist-print tradition in India.
April 2026
Archive Note · Dye Process
The Colour of the Earth: A Field Guide to Natural Dyes
Indigo from Bihar. Madder from Rajasthan. Pomegranate rind. Turmeric. Iron. How we source every dye we use — and why it matters.
March 2026
Archive Note · GI Tags
What a GI Tag Actually Means — And Why We Only Work With Them
A geographical indication is not a marketing label. It is a legally protected origin marker. Here is what we look for before any craft enters the STHĀYI archive.
February 2026
Artisan Portrait
Suleman Khatri: Six Generations of Bandhani
A portrait of the craftsman behind STHĀYI Field Study 001. His hands have tied millions of knots. He knows every one.
January 2026
Studio Note
Why We Document Construction Hours on Every Product
A saree that took 48 hours to make changes how you feel about its price — without the brand ever having to explain itself. This is the thinking behind our provenance model.
December 2025
Field Study · Upcoming
Field Study 003: Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Our next field study takes us to the looms of Maheshwar — home of the Maheshwari silk tradition, patronised by the Holkars of Indore for three centuries.
Coming Soon