Jayaram opens Sabari Artisans Village in Chennai

The crafts store has a second job: it backs a trust that has given free schooling to more than 6,000 children across five schools in Palakkad.

Jayaram has opened Sabari Artisans Village, a new space in Chennai built around India’s handicrafts, traditional arts and artisanal products. The Padma Shri-winning actor, who reunited with Urvashi this year for Pandiraj’s Parimala & Co, cut the ribbon and lit the lamp at the launch on October 12.

Jayaram lights the ceremonial lamp at the opening of Sabari Artisans Village

The idea is a single destination for Indian craftsmanship. Sabari Artisans Village brings together a curated range of handmade and traditional products from across the country, so shoppers can discover and pick up work from many of India’s craft traditions under one roof.

Jayaram takes a closer look at the crafts on display at Sabari Artisans Village

There is a cause behind the shelves too. The store is part of the work of the Sabari Charitable Trust, the philanthropic arm of the Sabari Group, led by chairman Shashi Kumar. Set up in 1996, the trust runs five schools in Palakkad, Kerala, which give free education to more than 6,000 children.

Jayaram with the Sabari Group team at the opening of Sabari Artisans Village

The trust says the new venture is meant to do both jobs at once: promote Indian craftsmanship, and keep funding its commitment to making education accessible.