Kalakshetra Foundation and Dastkari Haat

                                                                  Loom at Chennai's Kalakshetra foundation

Despite the heavy rain and flooding in Chennai Praveen managed to take us to visit the Kalakshetra Foundation in east Chennai-apparently Indian cars are semi-submersible! In extensive grounds the foundation is a large Government funded organisation dedicated to prserving traditional craft, dance and art studies. Courses are run here in a number of areas, it acts as a local venue, has a theatre, guest house and even has a primary school inside it's walls.

Praveen Nair- Chennai

Praveen Nair's studio in Chennai employs around 35 people in this embroidery unit producing bridal sarees for top wholesalers throughout the country. The company has been running for around a decade and at one point employed over 100 people.