Founded by Chartered Accountant and entrepreneur Neha Modi, Kathaa brings heritage, contemporary design and artisan empowerment together through handcrafted décor inspired by Lippan art from Kutch
Mumbai, October 6, 2026: For Neha Modi, the courage to begin again became Kathaa, a design-led venture that brings traditional Indian craftsmanship into contemporary homes while creating meaningful opportunities for artisans.
Kathaa, as the name suggests, means a story. The brand creates handcrafted décor inspired by India’s cultural traditions, particularly Lippan art from Kutch, reimagining the craft for modern homes and personalised gifting.
The venture is the brainchild of Chartered Accountant Neha Modi, who returned to entrepreneurship after dedicating a significant phase of her life to family, with a focus on conscious choices, creativity and community.
Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 with Peekaboo Cloth Diapers, a sustainability-led venture that grew into a community of mothers and reinforced her belief that small, thoughtful choices can create lasting change.
That desire to combine purpose with creativity eventually led to Kathaa.
From Kutch’s walls to contemporary spaces
Kathaa grew from Neha’s connection with Lippan art, the distinctive mud-and-mirror craft associated with Kutch, and her belief that India’s craft traditions can remain relevant in contemporary life.
Kathaa adapts this traditional visual language into handcrafted contemporary pieces. Personalisation allows names and individual stories to become part of the craft, making each creation distinctive and memorable.
“Kathaa came from a very personal belief that our stories and our roots should never become disconnected from the way we live today. I wanted to take the heritage of Lippan art beyond its traditional setting and create pieces that feel contemporary and personal while still carrying the soul of the craft. Every piece has a story, and that is where the name Kathaa comes from,” says Neha Modi, Founder, Kathaa.
A platform for possibility and artisan livelihoods
At its core, Kathaa stands for possibility, beginning again, honouring one’s roots and using design as a bridge between heritage and modern living.
Equally important is Kathaa’s social purpose. The brand supports artisans across India, working to showcase their skills and create a wider audience for handmade Indian craftsmanship.
“Kathaa cannot simply be about creating beautiful décor; there has to be a larger purpose. India has immensely talented artisans whose work does not always receive the visibility it deserves. We want to celebrate their skills and create a sustainable platform through which their craftsmanship can reach more people,” adds Modi.
Each Kathaa creation is intended to carry more than aesthetic value, combining artistry, individual stories and the skills of the people who make it.
Kathaa’s personalised work has reached personalities from sport, cinema, entertainment and culture, showing how a traditional craft language can become a distinctive contemporary gift while retaining a recognisably Indian aesthetic.
About Kathaa
Kathaa is a handcrafted décor and gifting venture founded by Neha Modi. Inspired by Lippan art from Kutch, it combines heritage, contemporary design, personal storytelling and artisan empowerment.
About Neha Modi
Neha Modi is a Chartered Accountant and entrepreneur. She launched sustainability-led Peekaboo Cloth Diapers in 2015 and later founded Kathaa to celebrate Indian craft traditions, support artisans and create contemporary, story-led décor.
