The Hands That Make: World of Our Artisans

Behind every thread lies a hand. Behind every hand, a history. And behind every history, a woman — often invisible to the world, but essential to it.

At ŚHRĪ, we believe that craft is not a product. It’s a relationship — between land, lineage, and the hands that shape tradition into form. Today, we take you inside that sacred relationship — into the homes, workshops, and hearts of the women who make ŚHRĪ possible.

Galle: The Lace Whisperers

In the coastal city of Galle, the sound of waves mingles with the gentle click of Beeralu bobbins. Here, generations of women have mastered the delicate lacework brought centuries ago by the Portuguese and made it uniquely Sri Lankan.

Meet Anoma, who learned lace-making from her grandmother at the age of 11. Today, she trains other young girls in her village, not just in technique — but in pride.

“They used to laugh at lace. Now they ask me how to do it.” — Anoma, Galle

Each lace motif she creates holds a story — a wedding memory, a village ritual, a season.

Ambekke: The Woodcarvers’ Legacy

In the cool highlands near Kandy, the woodcraft of Ambekke temple carvers lives on. Though the world modernized around them, these master artisans stayed rooted in ancient tools, local timber, and ancestral geometry.

Meet Sagara, whose family has carved temple columns and ritual boxes for three generations. He now works with ŚHRĪ to reinterpret those carvings for wearable objects and functional decor.

“What we carve is more than shape. It’s protection. It’s memory.” — Sagara, Ambekke

Bibile: From Earth to Fiber

Tucked deep in the dry zone, banana fiber weaving is more than sustainability — it’s survival. In Bibile, where factory jobs are scarce and rain is rare, women like Niluka gather banana stems after harvest and extract fibers by hand.

Once discarded as waste, these fibers are now woven into texture-rich, biodegradable material.

“It’s not just weaving. It’s giving new life to what’s thrown away.” — Niluka, Bibile

Her smile carries the confidence of someone who knows she is both preserving and innovating at once.

Empowering Through Partnership: MJF Charitable Foundation

ŚHRĪ is proud to work alongside the Women’s Development Programme by the MJF Charitable Foundation — an initiative that supports women through livelihood training, mental health support, and dignified creative expression.

In our pilot collaboration, women are trained in textile techniques, paid fairly, and invited into co-design processes. Our shared goal: to centre her hands, her voice, her future.

Why We Tell These Stories

We believe that to wear something made by hand is to carry someone’s time, skill, and soul on your skin. This is why we don’t just label our pieces — we trace them. We want you to know who made what, how they made it, and why it matters.

These are not just artisans. They are culture keepers, innovators, and leaders. And ŚHRĪ exists to honour them — not only through payment and visibility, but through long-term trust.

Coming Soon: Audio Portraits & Field Notes

Stay tuned as we introduce audio snippets, photos, and mini-documentaries from our field visits. We want you to hear their voices, see their spaces, and feel the texture of their lives — unfiltered and unforgotten.

Thank you for walking with us beyond the seams.
Every time you choose ŚHRĪ, you amplify the voices and hands that still believe in beauty, not just as an aesthetic — but as a way of being.