Today, many are taking to social media to sell handmade products — paintings, hand-painted home decor products, hand-painted saris and so much more. But what was the scenario before the social media frenzy? To understand, we get in touch with Chitranka Chowdhury, who just rebranded her label as Chitranka recently. "Right from childhood, I was encouraged to pursue something on the creative side as well. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I am a Bengali," laughs Chitranka. The former journalist, who also used to work in an ad agency, quit everything to finally hone and put to use that creative side of hers and started her own brand in 2012. Her USP is that not one of her works is similar to another and that she borrows from folk art and gives it a twist of her own. "I use brighter colours which bring a certain vibrancy to the product," says the 32-year-old who paints on saris, bottles, boxes and so much more. One would notice elements from Kathakali, Theyyam, Warli and other art forms that have originated from India on her products.      

All smiles: Chitranka Chowdhury pursued her UG from St Mary's College | (Pic Chitranka Chowdhury)

Currently, those interested can buy her products through social media as she is yet to start a portal. But before all this, she used to set up stalls in the good-old-fashioned-way - at multiple exhibitions - to make sure her products are well-known. She has been to Goa, Mumbai, Hyderabad and even Doha for the same purpose. "In Doha, mine was the only stall that had hand-painted products, so my products were sold out in no time," beams the Jamshedpur-born Chitranka. Her latest achievements include that her hand-painted sari was worn by Mumaith Khan of Bigg Boss Telugu fame. "I dream of opening up a studio where I won't just sell my products from, but will work from too so that people can see what goes into the making of each and every product," she says.   

Some of her products

For more on them, click on facebook.com/Chitranka.AYC