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In Mumbai, craftspeople facing social persecution are innovatively converting discarded tyres into eco-friendly accessories that have gained popularity among celebrities. This creative movement comes from Chamar Studio, a design collective rooted in the underserved Dalit community, often marginalized in Indian society.
The international spotlight shone on Chamar Studio when Rihanna was photographed sitting on their distinctive black ‘flap chair’ at the Design Miami 2024 fair. This moment helped highlight the talents of an often overlooked group. Historically, Dalits, once derogatorily called ‘untouchables,’ have been confined to the lowest levels of India’s caste system, facing exclusion from education and mainstream opportunities. Although legal discrimination was abolished in 1950, caste-based violence and prejudice persist, with over a hundred attacks reported in just the first half of 2025.
Chamar Studio emerged in 2015, at a time when bans on cow slaughter began to spread across India. These restrictions, influenced by a political emphasis on Hindu cultural identity, severely impacted Dalits traditionally engaged in leatherwork. Founder Sudheer Rajbhar, himself from this community, explains how they turned this challenge into an opportunity by shifting from animal leather to recycled rubber. “Most people see discarded tyres and inner tubes as waste, but for us they became a new medium. We clean, cut, and stitch them into durable, waterproof bags, shoes, and furniture that look and feel like leather but are cruelty-free and eco-friendly,” Rajbhar shared.
The studio also empowers local artisans by allowing them to work within their neighborhoods, providing creative assignments, fair wages, and benefits like health insurance through the Chamar Foundation. For cobbler Rohan Kumar, collaboration with the studio transformed his livelihood from a struggling roadside existence to one of artistic respect and international recognition. As Anubhav Nath, director of Delhi’s Ojas Art gallery, observes, “The beauty of art is that it can be a great social equaliser. When people value the design, it doesn’t matter where the artist comes from.” This sentiment corresponds with Rajbhar’s vision of reclaiming Dalit identity and pride through art that reshapes both their environment and society
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