Anegundi village in Karnataka’s Koppal district is so old and storied, it is even mentioned in literary works like the Ramayana. The famous village is thought to have been the capital of the Vijaynagara Empire.

Anegundi is also well-known because of its abundant banana plantations. It's believed that the elephants of the Vijaynagara army were kept in Anegundi.

Now, the region has transformed into a hub of banana fibre crafts. Artists have found ingenious ways to process discarded stems from the plant to extract a versatile and flexible fibre.

The local community of Koppal have discovered a livelihood in banana fibre crafts. Their art gives a new lease of life into this often overlooked natural resource, also helping reduce agricultural waste. The reliable and eco-friendly fibre is resistant against water, heat and fire. It's also completely odourless and impressively tough.

Artists weave banana fibre into bags, hats, purses and other similar household and personal accessories. The versatile material also blends well with other natural fibres, like cotton, to create durable fabrics.

The Kishkinda Trust established the Hari Dharti Rural Development Society in Anegundi to empower cottage industries. Women from these communities receive training in the art of banana fibre crafts. Becoming skilled artisans, they weave using traditional and sustainable techniques.

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