135 weavers of Uppada Jamdani are about to reach the world — and this is just the beginning.
In a move that promises to rewrite the global narrative around Indian handlooms, Shobitam — India’s most celebrated D2C ethnic wear destination — has announced the acquisition of Kalaneca, the pioneering brand behind the revival and recognition of the exquisite Uppada Jamdani saree. This is not merely a business acquisition — it is a declaration that India’s rarest, most breath-taking weaves will no longer remain India’s best-kept secret.
With a powerhouse global platform, an omnichannel presence spanning continents, and brand ambassador Bollywood icon Vidya Balan championing its ethos, Shobitam is primed to catapult Uppada Jamdani onto the world’s most prestigious stages. And Kalaneca — with 12 glorious years of deep-rooted craft storytelling and artisan relationships — brings with it the soul and authenticity
135 Weavers. One Global Stage.
At the heart of this acquisition are 135 extraordinary weavers from the Uppada village of East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh — artisans whose families have perfected the feather-light Jamdani weaving technique over years. Their artistry — long celebrated in discerning circles but yet to receive the global mainstream spotlight it deserves — will now reach saree connoisseurs, luxury fashion lovers, and cultural enthusiasts across the globe.
Shobitam is proud to be home to 810 exceptionally skilled weavers and artisans spanning 24 thriving clusters across India. Having achieved 12X growth over the last 4 years, Shobitam has established itself as one of the fastest-growing platforms celebrating the richness of Indian handloom and craft. This landmark cluster addition of Uppada unlocks new opportunities to bring the artistry of India’s master weavers to a global audience, accelerating the company’s next phase of growth in India and across the globe.
Two Visionary Brands. One Unstoppable Mission.
Shobitam has spent years building what few brands have achieved: a truly global community of Indian craft lovers. From Chennai to California, Singapore to Sydney, Shobitam’s curated collections and storytelling approach have earned it a legion of loyal customers who trust the brand to bring them the finest of India’s weaving traditions. With Vidya Balan — a woman celebrated for her unapologetic embrace of Indian textiles — as its brand ambassador, Shobitam carries both cultural credibility and mainstream appeal in equal measure.
Kalaneca, on the other hand, is the definitive authority on Uppada Sarees. Over 12 years, founders Kavea R. Chavali and Ramya R. Chavali have done something remarkable: built a brand that is synonymous with the Uppada weave itself. Their close partnerships with artisan clusters, commitment to authenticity, and passion for preserving a centuries-old tradition have made Kalaneca a name trusted by saree lovers who refuse to compromise on provenance or craft.
For Kalaneca, this acquisition comes at exactly the right time — a powerful moment to take the Uppada story to a wider, global audience, backed by Shobitam’s formidable reach, resources, and relentless belief in Indian handlooms.
“At Shobitam, we’ve always believed that every weave has a story worth telling. With Kalaneca, we’re not just acquiring a leading brand — we’re embracing a legacy. Uppada Jamdani sarees may not yet enjoy the spotlight of Banarasi or Kanjivaram, but they deserve just as much love, admiration, and global attention. And we are going to make that happen.”
— Aparna Thyagarajan, Co-Founder, Shobitam
“Kalaneca for the last 11 years has been pioneering the legacy of Uppada weaves. As a brand that was born for Uppada, this synergy comes at a crucial time to take the storytelling to a global scale. To see Shobitam’s passion and ethos towards Indian handlooms made us believe that they were indeed the right partners to take this six yards of legacy forward.”
— Kavea R. Chavali, Co-Founder, Kalaneca
“When Kalaneca started, it was with a simple belief — that the beauty of Uppada sarees deserved to be seen, valued, and remembered. With Shobitam, this vision finds new wings. I am elated that they will take the story of Uppada to the world while staying true to the hands and hearts that created it. Exciting times ahead.”
— Ramya R. Chavalii, Co-Founder, Kalaneca
