Trends and traction: Sunday Soul Sante kicks off ‘Colour Play’ edition for creators
In this photo essay, we feature more highlights and founder insights from the popular artisanal market, Sunday Soul Sante.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 980 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
This year, Bengaluru’s Sunday Soul Sante has held editions of its popular gatherings for the creative community at venues such as Central Garden of Embassy TechVillage and Manyata Business Park. In this photo essay, we feature more highlights from the Boho Love edition at Central Garden (see our coverage of the earlier editions here).
This Sunday, the next edition will kick off at The Bay, Ecoworld, Bengaluru. Aptly titled Colour Play, it will feature more than 200 curated stalls and is expected to attract over 12,000 visitors. The music lineup includes Madboy Mink and Sting Fisher.
The founding team consist of Asha Rao, Harish Rao, Karan Rao, and Vishal Rao. Over the last 15 years, their fairs have been held in Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad as well.
“Sunday Soul Sante has hosted over 100 editions. We focus on sustainability, conscious consumerism, eco-friendly brands, and green initiatives,” Karan Rao tells YourStory.
His team sees rapid evolution in the artisan and craft ecosystem across India. “Some key trends include revival of handloom with modern design sensibilities. Macramé and fiber arts are gaining mainstream appeal,” he explains.
“We are also observing more resin art, contemporary craft experimentation, fusion of traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, and the rise of hobbyists turning into full-fledged entrepreneurs,” he adds.
In this regard, Rao sees Sunday Soul Sante as a launchpad platform. “It allows creators to test their ideas in a real marketplace environment. We see a powerful blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary reinterpretation emerging from young Indian creators,” he says.
“Sunday Soul Sante has been a platform where passion meets opportunity. As we move into our next phase with more thematic and sustainable editions, our commitment remains the same: to create meaningful experiences and build an ecosystem where creativity thrives,” Rao adds.
As a platform that nurtures emerging talent, he also offers tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. “We encourage creators to start small, but dream big,” he advises.
“Use our Sante events to test ideas, seek real-time customer feedback, and focus on consistency and quality. Over the years, several now-established brands started with us, including Chumbak and ISAK Fragrances,” Rao explains.
Many brands that began at Sante have gone on to scale nationally. “They have raised investments and even appeared on shows like Shark Tank India,” he says with pride.
“We strongly encourage student entrepreneurs, homemakers and first-time creators to take that first step. Start somewhere – the growth follows,” Rao affirms.
He also urges visitors to view Sunday Soul Sante as more than a market. “It is a community. So support and celebrate local creativity,” he says.
“Experience something new every time. When you come to our Sante, you are not just shopping – you are directly empowering small businesses, artisans and dreamers,” Rao signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Sunday Soul Sante.)