SWADHEEN
SWADHEEN
SWADHEEN
“SWADHEEN” weaves together the historical, social and economic contexts of Khadi, the hand-spun Fabric of Freedom.
SWADHEEN stems from Smt. Kiran Bajaj’s long-standing dream to create a platform that highlights the selfless work of freedom fighters like Jankidevi Bajaj and others, committed to Swadeshi. “Everyone benefits from khadi,” she states. “It offers employment and dignity to poor cotton growers and weavers, boosts the Indian economy and fills us with pride in this versatile fabric”. She envisions expanding khadi into global markets through fashion, home goods, furnishings, accessories and soft toys. “However, this depends on our fashion designers to take khadi forward with creativity and commitment to quality”.
As part of Kiran’s aim to unite artisans and practitioners in promoting khadi, the first “Swadheen” exhibition was held in January 2024. The one-of-a-kind event commemorated the 30th IMC – Ladies’ Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar for Rural Women Entrepreneurs. The award was received by Smt Rajiben Vankar, Founder of Rajiben – Crafting a Better Planet.
Savitha Suri, textile heritage researcher, curated the three-day exhibition that paid homage to Jankidevi’s love for khadi, featuring panel discussions and lectures with experts. An exhibition and sale by artisan-led initiatives set the tone for a meaningful celebration.
SYMPOSIUM AND LECTURES BY:
Sushama Veerappa – Udaanata Trust https://kandu.in
Venkata Krishna – Azuri India/Discovering Roots https://discoveringroots.org
Ravikiran – Metaphor Racha https://metaphorracha.com
Paresh Patel – Royal Brocades https://www.instagram.com/royal.brocades?igsh=c3Q2c2c5N3g2N3V0
Veena Upadhyay – Bunkar Bihar https://srijanifoundation.com
Dr Sumanas Koulagi – Janapada Seva Trust https://janapadacollective.com
EXHIBITION AND SALE BY:
Metaphor Racha https://metaphorracha.com
Tula Organic https://tula.org.in
Kullvi Whims https://kullviwhims.com
Discovering Roots https://discoveringroots.org
Bunkar Bihar https://srijanifoundation.com
The Charkha https://thecharkha.com
Amoda https://www.houseofamoda.com
Manas By Manas Ghorai https://manasghorai.com
Rajiben Vankar https://navchetana.org.in
Little Bee Charitable Trust
MaganKhadi, Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti, Wardha
Marwar India – A bi-monthly lifestyle, culture and musings publication covered the inaugural Swadeen exhibition in its March-April 2024 issue. You can read it here Swadheen – Capturing the Essence of Freedom
Launch of Swadheen L- R -Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman-Bajaj Electricals, Amrita Somaiya-President IMC LW, Dr. Pheroza J. Godrej, Chairperson - Godrej Archives, Council and Advisor-Godrej Mangroves, Founder-Cymroza Art Gallery, Prasoon Joshi - CEO & Chief Creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup India, Kiran Bajaj, Radhika Nath-Chairperson JBP Committee, Savitha Suri -Swadheen Curator and Pooja Bajaj
Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Electricals with daughter Geetika at the SeaChange stall
Swadheen at IMC Exhibition
In October 2024, Swadheen showcased a collection of khadi apparel and accessories at the Ladies’ Wing IMC Exhibition, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. This was in association with Sea Change Collective, an organisation that upcycles ocean waste from beaches to make art products which were also on display. The collaboration involved participation from Annuradha Toshniwal, Malini Mansukhani, Rachna Toshniwal, Preeti Rathi Motwani, Meera Dabir, Deepa Singh, Lahar Mehta, Jabeen Vasi, Kirti Chopra and Nari Shakti Samuh – Women’s Self-Help Group of Navkhar and Bagdanda villages, Maharashtra.
Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Electricals and Kiran Bajaj with Yuddhavirsingh and Aashka Jadeja of House of Amoda
Amoda for Swadheen
In August 2025, Swadheen introduced another innovative idea by collaborating with a socially conscious haute couture brand from Ahmedabad – AMODA. For this event, Amoda worked exclusively with khadi. The brand has built an international presence and advocates for rural artisans. Yuddhavirsingh Jadeja and his sister, Aashka Jadeja, from Amoda, partnered with the Swadheen team.
Swadheen Curator Savitha Suri explains the process of spinning with charkha
All three exhibitions, fully sponsored by Bajaj Electricals Ltd. CSR, were met with great success and interest.
If you are an established or emerging designer interested in collaborating with Swadheen, please get in touch with Mr Prasad Ghanekar at prasad.ghanekar@bajajelectricals.com
