Avante Cottage Crafts

Avante Cottage Crafts is a cherished third-generation handicraft store in Colaba, Mumbai, with roots going back to 1950 when it was founded by Kishinchand Malani, who arrived in Bombay as a refugee following partition. Initially specialising in tailored suits, carpets, dhurries, shawls, and bed linen, Avante transformed under the second generation — Ramesh and Kalpana Malani — who expanded the store’s reach by personally visiting artisans across every Indian state. Over decades of dedicated travel, they built a collection reflecting the stunning diversity of India’s craft traditions: wood inlay from Mysore, hand-knotted carpets from Kashmir, black pottery from Manipur, hand-embroidered and vegetable-dye bedcovers from Kutch, Dhokra tribal metalwork, brass artefacts, silver jewellery, paintings on silk, and ceramic decor. Today, under the third generation, Avante remains a Colaba landmark opposite Regal Cinema and is a consistent favourite among Mumbai locals, expatriates, and international tourists seeking authentic, fairly priced Indian handicrafts. The store is known for its knowledgeable staff, who can explain the origin, technique, and significance of each piece — creating a genuinely educational as well as satisfying shopping experience. Avante ships internationally through its website and is one of Mumbai’s most reliable destinations for honest, handmade goods.