- Handwoven in J.P. Nagar, Bangalore by women from Samhati, this heritage Koodai tote blends tradition with everyday function.
- Crafted from plastic wire, it features sturdy leather straps, optional organisers, and playful personalisation — from your name to your pet’s.
- Choose from tassels, monograms, or dog & cat charms to make it truly yours.
- Fits everything from books to market veggies, travel bottles, and café reads.
- Lightweight, wipeable, and roomy enough for your errands, outings, or airport check-ins.
- Every bag carries a piece of culture, community, and quiet rebellion — rewoven into your modern life.
This collection brings together the generational craftsmanship of Samhati’s women weavers and Zwende’s signature personalisation and design-led detail.
Samhati—which means “joint effort”—beautifully captures the spirit of this collaboration. Based in and around JP Nagar, the women of Samhati come from low-income households. Many are homemakers or work as domestic helps. Through basket weaving, they’re taking their first steps toward financial independence—and rewriting their own stories with every loop and knot. Through Samhati, these women have found a renewed sense of pride, purpose, and community.
Together, Zwende & Samhati are committed to reviving the koodai craft, a traditional basketry form that demands immense patience, skill, and care. In partnership with Zwende, this legacy takes on a new form—contemporary, customisable bags designed for your everyday life. With leather straps, monogrammed tags, and thoughtful accents, each piece is a celebration of tradition reimagined. We hope these bags find a joyful, lasting place in your life—used, reused, and passed on with love.
Frequently asked questions
A wire koodai is a traditional South Indian handwoven basket — once used to carry groceries, now reimagined by Zwende and Samhati into a modern tote bag. With leather or vegan straps and personalisation options, it’s the perfect blend of culture and convenience.
Your Koodai is made for real life — whether it’s brunch plans, beach days, or quick errands.
Handwoven using sturdy plastic-coated wire, it’s lightweight yet durable, water-resistant, and easy to carry.
The leather or vegan straps are strong enough for daily use — just avoid soaking to keep it looking its best.
To clean your Koodai, simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Avoid harsh scrubbing, folding, or soaking the bag to preserve its shape and finish.
The woven wire base is water-resistant, and the leather or vegan straps are durable — but it’s best to store the bag in a dry place to keep it looking its best for years to come.
Absolutely! You can personalize your bag with your name using a hand-embossed label placed on the outside. You can also add a monogram charm or a custom pet charm — just click on ""Customize Yours"" to explore the options.
Looking for a custom size or colour combination?
Click the WhatsApp button on the bottom right of your screen to chat with us and make it happen.