Digital Artisans of India  (DAOI) Awards – Empowering India's Handmade Artisans for Sustainable Growth

2025 digital Artisans of India Winners

Presented by Digital Empowerment Foundation and Creative Dignity In collaboration with Digikargha and AIACA

Ashwin Siju

(Kutch Weaving)

Aafiya Khan

(Handmade Silver Footwear)

Ishver Singh Prajapati

(Clay Pottery)

Mohamed Fathima

(Pattamadai Mat Weaving)

Shaik Ghousiya Begum

(Udayagiri Wooden Cutlery)

Naserul Gaffar Sheikh

(Sozni Embroidery)

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200+

Applicants

80+

Crafts

66

Shortlisted

11

Winners

In the heart of India’s artisan clusters, where looms hum age-old melodies and hands carry generations of wisdom, a quiet digital revolution is underway. Mobile phones light up workshop corners, weavers go live on social media, and craft collectives set up e-commerce stores from rural rooftops.

This is the story of the Digital Artisans of India—a community of creators blending tradition with technology to reimagine their future.

Launched in 2023 by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and Creative Dignity, with support from Digikargha, the DAOI Awards were created to honour artisans and organizations who are using digital tools to preserve heritage, expand markets, and build entrepreneurial pathways.

In the inaugural year, we received over 100 nominations from across India. The award ceremony at the National Crafts Museum, New Delhi, brought together 50+ artisans for a day filled with shared stories, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural celebration.

More than 30 artisans were recognised for their unique crafts and digital journeys, receiving ₹11 lakhs in cash prizes. The event concluded with the launch of ‘Kargha Tales’, a publication capturing the spirit and stories of these trailblazers.

DAOI 2024–25: Expanding the Canvas

DAOI 2024–25 heads to Hyderabad for a two-day celebration of digital innovation in Indian craftsmanship, featuring workshops, hackathons, a curated exhibition, and the award ceremony.

This year saw 200+ nominations from across India, with previous DAOI participants actively championing the awards in their clusters and networks. Ahead of the Hyderabad event, artisans shared their digital journeys through pitch decks, video stories, and interviews—showcasing how tradition and technology can come together to build resilient, future-ready craft enterprises.

With new partners like AIACA, FICCI, and the Dreams Foundation, DAOI 2025 strengthens its focus on mentorship, seed funding, and national outreach to help artisans grow in a digitally connected world.