Sarthi - signifies Charioteer.
The VI chapter of the Bhagwat Gita - The Mahabharat - shows Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna. it is up to Arjuna to act, while Krishna advises and shows the way. “Do thou thy allotted task, for action is superior to inaction. Inaction renders even life’s normal course impossible. The fruits of action are not thy concern.”

The symbol is taken from the Alpona of Shashti - the mother goddess viewed as the protective womb; it is also seen as the Chakra - Vyhu, the eternal maze. The symbol is used in many cultures.

Sarthi - a non-profit, non-religious, non-political voluntary body addressing itself to the basic every day habitat, social, legal, medical, educational and marketing needs of artists and artisans - was formed to help improve the quality of life of India’s numerous craftspersons, weavers, classical musicians and folk performers. One of its main objectives is to help in the evolution of India’s traditional skills without losing their essence... to effect continuity in change.

The organisation seeks to implement programmes that offer long term solutions to the problem of survival for a much broader base of creative talent. It seeks to promote the growth of a vibrant and economically viable artistic community that has the inherent capacity to create wealth and goodwill for itself and for the nation.

The areas of activity in which Sarthi is deeply involved are development of new and integrated artists’ habitats, upgradation of existing settlements, holistic and functional training programmes and exposure and direct access to innovations and references, provision of appropriate legal and financial advice and safeguards against exploitation and harassment, establishment of co-operatives and imparting of self- managerial negotiative and commercial skills circumventing middlemen wherever required, conducting surveys and studies of prevailing health conditions, holding of health camps and counseling, training the artists and artisans and their families in preventive health care, formulation of special programmes for women and children and helping re-install pride in traditional skills, establishment of insurance, scholarships and fellowship schemes and helping the artists play an integral role in India’s quest for contemporaneity and progress.

Sarthi registered under the Society Registration Act 1860 XXI on 6th of Feb. 1989.


Formed by Artists and Artisans and their friends under the patronage and guidance of Late Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, and Late Smt Pupul Jayakar, the founder members of Sarthi include among others, noted artists Late Shri Manjit Bawa, Smt. Shabana Azmi, Smt Shubha Mudgal, Smt Sanjana Kapoor, Smt Kusum Haider Smt Aditi Mangaldas, eminent lawyer Dr Abhishekh Singhvi, development scientist Dr Ashok Khosla, social activist Shri Chandi Prashad Bhatt, eminent writers Ms. Helene Cixous, Smt Aneez Jung, eminent historian Smt Romila Thapar, development workers Sh A K Shiv Kumar, Smt Poonam Mutreja, Smt Praveen Nair, Shri Ram Niwas Mirdha, cultural activists Dr Kiran Seth and Shri Rajeev Sethi.

Sarthi has organised and participated in many prestigious fairs and festivals all over the world. for more info please visit www.sarthi.org