Printed Inspirational Lion-Themed Green Cotton Tote Bag - Lion's Advice

Artisan Organization: Tapan Sarbadhikary

Country: India

Hi friends, I’m Tapan Sarbadhikary, and I currently live in Faridabad, Haryana, though I was born and raised in Kolkata. My journey has always been driven by a desire to challenge myself, explore new avenues, and find ways to give back to my community. My friends often describe me as someone who is constantly on my toes, eager to embrace challenges and always looking for innovative ways to do things.

Back in 2010, I moved to Delhi and started working with a multinational company as a web designer. Although I enjoyed my job, I always felt a pull toward something more creative and meaningful. I've always had a keen interest in handcrafted products, and this passion only grew over time. In 2017, I decided to take the leap and start something of my own. With a few friends by my side, we started a small workshop keen to produce eco-friendly, handcrafted bags. We started our workshop with the idea of blending artistic design with sustainability. We started with a small team of 10 people and began creating products like tote bag, canvas bag, and several other eco-conscious products. All of these items are made from recycled and eco-friendly materials, which are readily available in the market. My vision was simple: create beautiful, functional products that not only help the community but also contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.

"My creativity is deeply influenced by my family—especially my father, who was an incredibly creative person himself—and by friends who encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and design. I’m also constantly inspired by the craft exhibitions I visit, where I can see new techniques, ideas, and materials. It’s in those spaces that I often find new concepts and ideas for my products.

"For me the most challenging part is to manage the funds. It’s often difficult to find the resources to scale up, especially when the goal is to produce high-quality, sustainable products that are also affordable. But it’s the love for design and the impact I can make that keeps me going. There are days when I have to think outside the box to find ways to fund growth, but that’s part of the journey.

"In 2017, we started as a small workshop which has now grown bigger to create a varied range of eco-friendly bags. Our product line includes cross-body bags, shoulder bags, cotton tote bags, canvas bags, ladies handbags, and much more. What sets us apart is our focus on eco-friendly materials—we use recycled cotton, canvas, and other sustainable fabrics to craft every bag. The goal has always been to create something beautiful and useful while staying true to our responsibility to the planet. But my ambition doesn’t stop there. I want to grow, not just across India, but also internationally. I want to introduce my products to a global market, where more people can discover and embrace sustainable, stylish alternatives to plastic. It’s a challenge, yes, but it’s one that excites me because it allows me to combine my passion for design with my desire to make a real difference in the world.

"The environmental aspect of my business is the most important to me. I’ve always believed that we, as designers and creators, have a responsibility to the planet. We live in a time when plastic is one of the biggest pollutants, and I feel that by offering eco-friendly alternatives like tote bags, I can help reduce the plastic footprint, even if it’s just a small step in the grand scheme of things.

"One of the proudest moments for me was when I started seeing customers express appreciation for my products, especially when they shared how happy they were to support something that helps the environment. The fact that people were not only buying my products but also getting behind the idea of a plastic-free world was incredibly fulfilling.

"My mission is simple yet powerful: to help build a plastic-free world. Every bag we make is one step toward reducing plastic waste, and every customer who chooses an eco-friendly product is contributing to a cleaner planet. The more people get involved in this mission, the bigger the impact we can have together.

"My journey has not only been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. As we grow, I’m excited for what the future holds—for us, for our planet, and for the community of people who believe in the power of design and sustainability. I am very thankful to Novica for giving me a platform to showcase my eco-friendly bags globally.""