guest blogger guest blogging guest post india shopping guide shopaholics shopping trends

Imagine the collective surprise and relief of the mostly invisible North East community in Mumbai, when a young Assamese couple took the initiative to launch a store that makes available goods from ‘back home. Oineetom is a Miri love song (of the Mishing community in Assam), and also the name of the handloom and handicraft store by Neeyor and Rouhan Sharma, located in Navi Mumbai.

A few years ago, Rouhan’s mother, Era, taught a few young girls, who dropped out of school, how to weave and how to be creative with their designs, while managing her own role as a planter’s wife, in Central Assam. Later, she built a make-shift workshop on a plot of land near Numaligarh, Assam, and began to showcase the creations that came from there.

Why Go There ?

Comprising a small area and a loft, Oineetom stocks products that are authentic to the North East communities of India. Popular items include the authentic silk (paat and muga) sarees and mekhela sadors from Assam, metal beads from Manipur, wooden miniatures of some famous landmarks of the region, and accessories from Nagaland. Cane, a North-East specialty, is always a best-seller - as furniture, ornamental trimmings and also as floor mats.

Rouhan believes that the USP of his store lies in the quality of products that he offers. “My mother uses natural and vegetable dyes, for example, and she offers to her customers a range of colours that you never knew existed,” he says. Versatility and convenience are also reasons for the interest that handicrafts have garnered, he adds, but “People are going back to an organic lifestyle, too, to decrease their carbon footprints, and endorsing Indian handicrafts are as non-synthetic as you can get.”

Pricing

Prices begin at Rs 5000 for a saree, and can go up to an average of Rs 8000-9000. Typically a furniture set would cost around Rs.22000; although they also have table stands made out of tea bushes and these are available for Rs. 800 and up. You can also find premium Assam tea which is priced Rs. 40-50 lesser than the usual market price.

How To Find them

• Store address: Shop No 17, Shreeji Heights, Sector 46A, Palm Beach Road, Next To State Bank Of Hyderabad, Seawood West, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai - 400706
• Contact: Neeyor Sharma +91 80808 09052 or Rouhan Sharma +91 9867490361
• Email at oineetom.h@gmail.com

 

Nupur Barua rather unwisely, gave up a career as a journalist to pursue another in the world of fiction television. After attempting to understand the industry for six years, she finally gave it up to return to her first love—writing! Currently based in Mumbai, Nupur provides content and edits on a freelance basis, and occasionally designs presentations for movie and television pitches. Follow Shopping India on Twitter for the insiders-guide to shopping in India.

guest blogger guest blogging guest post india shopping guide shopaholics shopping trends sunday shopping

Wow ! It’s been 4 years that I’ve lived in Bombay (yeah I still can’t call it Mumbai) and I must admit other than Colaba Causeway and a few high street stores – I don’t have a clue where to go when it comes to shopping. It doesn’t help that I’m possibly the worlds’ worst shopper and still get my Mum or sister or friends to go shopping on my behalf. I kid you not !

Every Sunday my mates go off to partake in some retail therapy whilst I try to take it easy. One such Sunday I came across a blogger, Nivedita of India Shopping Guide via IndiBlogger and I suggested that she and her fellow shopaholic bloggers be my guest here on my blog.

So without further adieu, for all you shopaholics out there – let’s look at the Changing Trends in Mumbai.

In Mumbai, the common man did not always have access to art and craft from Maharashtra or other states. One had to travel to Colaba, in South Mumbai, to pick up a genuine piece of art, and, more likely than not, pay too much for something that may be less than authentic. The discerning Mumbaikar waited for various trade fairs and exhibitions to pick up pottery from Jaipur or shawls from Kashmir.

High rent rates and space constraints were the least of an investor’s worries. To begin with, most artisans and craftsmen live in rural areas. The communication gap between them and the urban entrepreneur seemed too wide to bridge. Sourcing reliable and skilled labour was always a problem. Liberalisation did not help much either – it brought in shiny, new products that made terra cotta pots and cane furniture pale in comparison.

All that changed has changed over the past few years. . Numerous independent, privately-owned businesses that showcase Indian artisans and handicrafts have mushroomed across the city. Competition is fierce, and word-of-mouth is the best marketing tool.

Over the next few weeks, we will feature young entrepreneurs who have dared to be different; their ventures that are in some way a platform that encourages the love and appreciation for the skill and labour of the invisible craftsmen across various parts of India.

Nupur Barua rather unwisely, gave up a career as a journalist to pursue another in the world of fiction television. After attempting to understand the industry for six years, she finally gave it up to return to her first love—writing! Currently based in Mumbai, Nupur provides content and edits on a freelance basis, and occasionally designs presentations for movie and television pitches. Follow Shopping India on Twitter for the insiders-guide to shopping in India.