A Big Indian Story

About A Big Indian Story

A Big Indian Story (ABIS) is a Pune-based sustainable design house that reimagines Indian accessory-making for a planet-conscious future. Founded in 2018 by Anuradha Alurkar and Sriram Swaminathan, the brand brings together two ideas that rarely appear in the same sentence: cutting-edge plant-based material science and the time-honoured craft traditions of India’s artisan communities. The result is a range of handcrafted bags, accessories, and apparel that are PETA-approved vegan, cruelty-free, and made without any animal-derived leather.

Plant-Based Leathers at the Heart of Every Piece

What sets A Big Indian Story apart in India’s sustainable fashion landscape is its pioneering use of multiple plant-waste-based leather alternatives — materials that most Indian brands are only beginning to explore.

• Pinatex — Crafted from pineapple leaf fibres, a byproduct of pineapple agriculture that would otherwise go to waste. The fibres are mechanically extracted, blended with corn-based polylactic acid, and processed into a durable, flexible textile. It requires no additional land, water, or pesticides to produce.
• Apple Skin Leather — Made from apple peels and cores left over from the juice and food industry, this material transforms food waste into a refined, luxurious fabric. Every apple leather bag diverts agricultural residue from landfill.
• Desserto Cactus Leather — Sourced from the Nopal cactus plant, requiring no irrigation beyond natural rainfall, no herbicides, and no harmful chemicals during cultivation. Cactus plants also absorb significant quantities of CO2 as they grow.
• Hemp — Derived from Cannabis sativa plant fibres, hemp is biodegradable and requires minimal chemical processing during cultivation, making it one of the most eco-responsible textiles available.
• Kala Cotton — The oldest and most genetically pure strain of homegrown Indian cotton, grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. It is a signature ABIS material, connecting the brand’s modern sustainability ethos to India’s deep agricultural heritage.

Handcraft Traditions, Preserved and Honoured

A Big Indian Story does not just use sustainable materials — it is equally committed to preserving the human craftsmanship behind Indian textiles. The brand works directly with experienced artisan communities across India, employing techniques passed down across generations: Ajrakh hand block printing from Kutch, Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh, and traditional hand dyeing and weaving practices from multiple regions. Each piece is handcrafted, meaning no two are exactly alike — a deliberate choice that honours the individual skill of the maker.

By partnering directly with artisan groups and paying fair prices for their craft, ABIS ensures that the demand for handloom and traditional textiles translates into real, sustainable livelihoods for the communities that carry these skills forward.

Collections and Products

The brand’s product range spans a variety of bags — from everyday totes and laptop travellers to convertible and structured bags — as well as jewellery and artisanal gifting. Standout pieces include the Urban Ajrakh Tote, the Kalamkari Laptop Traveller, and the Madonna Apple Leather Tote, each blending a traditional Indian craft print with contemporary silhouettes and plant-based materials. Prices typically range from around INR 3,300 to INR 4,200 for bags, keeping the brand accessible to conscious consumers without compromising on quality.

ABIS has also collaborated with artisan groups for artisanal gifting — a thoughtful alternative for businesses and individuals looking for eco-conscious corporate gifts or occasion-specific presents. These can be found in the Artisanal Gifting collection on their website.

Community and CSR Initiatives

A Big Indian Story believes that sustainability extends beyond materials into communities and ecosystems. Through a tree-planting programme in partnership with the Global Shapers Community in Nagpur, the brand plants a tree with every purchase and gives customers a personalised certificate and tracking number so they can watch their tree grow. The brand has also collaborated with the Saras Foundation to provide income-generation opportunities for women in drought-affected rural Maharashtra, supplying designs and fabrics for the community women to handcraft into quilts. A Women for Women initiative, in partnership with social enterprise Good Gift, allows customers to add handcrafted dolls to their orders, directly supporting women artisans.

Recognition and Credentials

A Big Indian Story is PETA-approved vegan and holds a cruelty-free certification. The brand has been featured in Vogue India, Conde Nast Traveller, and showcased at Lakme Fashion Week — a recognition of its place at the intersection of fashion, heritage craft, and genuine environmental responsibility. With over 222 verified customer reviews and a 4.76-star rating, ABIS has earned a loyal community of conscious consumers who appreciate both the story and the substance behind every purchase.

Listed in the Prakati Green Directory, A Big Indian Story exemplifies what it means to be a truly sustainable Indian brand — one that draws its strength from the land, its inspiration from Indian craft traditions, and its purpose from a commitment to cruelty-free, planet-positive design. Based in Maharashtra, the brand ships across India and internationally.