Kosala by Hindalco opens first flagship store in New Delhi

Kosala, the social enterprise of Hindalco Industries Limited, has opened its first flagship retail outlet in Greater Kailash (N Block), New Delhi. The launch marks an expansion of its Kosa silk value-chain initiative based in Chhattisgarh.

Kosala, established in 2021 to revive the indigenous Kosa silk craft of the Dewangan community, has inaugurated its first flagship store in New Delhi. The boutique was opened by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, in the presence of Mr. Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries Limited, Mr. Saurabh Khedekar, CEO, Alumina Business, Hindalco Industries Limited and Director, Kosala Foundation, and actor Ms. Yami Gautam Dhar.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Rajashree Birla said, “Kosala reflects our deep commitment to trusteeship, nurturing communities while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. By revitalising the art of Kosa silk, we are empowering artisan families, especially women, with sustainable livelihoods and renewed pride in their craft. This store serves as a bridge between rural skill and global appreciation.”

Kosala’s activities are focused on restoring and expanding the traditional Kosa silk craft practiced in Raigarh and Janjgir–Champa districts of Chhattisgarh. In FY25, 31 weaver families secured full-time engagement, while 130 artisans were employed across pre-loom and post-loom processes. Full-time weavers recorded a 63% increase in income due to assured year-round work. During the year, 379 artisans were engaged and 100 received new skills training. Since inception, the initiative has supported more than 700 artisans.

L-R - Mr. Satish Pai, Actor Ms Yami Gautam Dhar, Mrs. Rajashree Birla , Mr. Saurabh Khedekar and Neeta Shah at the inauguration of the Kosala store in Delhi.

Mr. Saurabh Khedekar said, “Kosala is anchored in two core beliefs, reviving the indigenous legacy of Kosa silk and restoring economic dignity, recognition, and continuous skill advancement to its original custodians, the Dewangan community. This store is not merely a retail milestone; it reaffirms our long-term commitment to strengthening the artisan ecosystem and enabling weaver families to thrive with pride and purpose.
We continue to prioritise the well-being of artisans and their families by extending individual life insurance coverage, expanding structured training to bring more weavers into the fold, and reimagining Kosa through a thoughtful blend of time-honoured techniques and consciously designed collections for the modern consumer.”

Capacity-building measures include training 25 rural youth in natural colour dyeing; providing sewing and embroidery skills to 100 women in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the Foundation for MSME Clusters; certifying 50 Dewangan women in Kosa reeling; and offering advanced weaving instruction to 25 artisans through the Weavers’ Service Centre, Raigarh. In 2024, Kosala introduced the Kosala Artisan Shilp Unnati Yojana, establishing annual recognition and incentive systems for master weavers.

Kosala operates as part of Hindalco’s sustainable mining initiatives in Chhattisgarh. The programme integrates market access, skill development, and infrastructure investment, positioning heritage textiles within a sustainable luxury framework while generating economic outcomes for artisan communities.