Artisans in India maintain Rakhi traditions through diverse crafts

In Raipur, a Muslim family led by Danish Alam has been manufacturing and selling Rakhis for over 32 years. The family views the festival as a symbol of brotherhood and Hindu-Muslim unity, with Danish noting that he celebrates the occasion with sisters from various communities.

In Nizamuddin Basti, women artisans belonging to the Insha-e-Noor collective are utilizing crochet techniques to create unique lion- and puppy-shaped Rakhis. While the craft provides essential income for the women to support education and household expenses, artisans report that sales have recently declined due to cheaper, mass-produced copies of their handmade patterns being sold online.