Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the MSME Sparks 2026 Grand Finale in Bengalurua melting pot of founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers. Amidst the insightful discussions on AI and digital transformation, two narratives resonated with me on a deeply personal level as the founder of
Listening to Lavanya Nalli and Aparna Thyagarajan back-to-back felt like witnessing the two pillars of modern Indian craft: Legacy and Agility.
Nalli, under the stewardship of Lavanya Nalli, represents the pinnacle of heritage. Hearing her speak, I was reminded of how a brand with nearly a century of history can remain relevant. Lavanya, an alumna of Anna University (Computer Science) and Harvard Business School, brought a rigorous, professional approach to the family firm. Her experience at McKinsey & Company and Myntra helped her bridge the gap between traditional saree retailing and the digital-first expectations of today’s consumer. She proved that when you honor a legacy—like the iconic 'MS Blue'—while applying modern institutional processes, you don’t just preserve the past; you build a foundation that can weather any market shift.
On the other side of the spectrum was Aparna Thyagarajan, co-founder of
.jpg)
The event was also marked by the voices of several other visionary leaders who are shaping the MSME landscape. It was incredibly inspiring to hear from Giedrius Zakaitis (CEO of Hostinger), who emphasized the scale of digital presence; Nikhila Gudipati (Google Cloud), who highlighted the role of cloud-driven innovation; Dibyanshu Tripathi (Founder of Hexalog), who showcased operational excellence; and Shivani Muthanna (YourStory), who continues to champion the stories of those building the future of Bharat.
The Synthesis: Innovation as a Guardian of Tradition
As I lead Madhubani Arts India, I often grapple with the balance between the ancient and the modern. How do we keep the centuries-old stories of Mithila alive while navigating the demands of a global e-commerce world?
The insights from these leaders provided the answer: Technology should be the guardian of authenticity, not its replacement.
Whether it is Nalli’s sophisticated approach to every-day value or Shobitam’s tech-enabled model for empowering artisans, the lesson is clear: Branding and digital storytelling are the vehicles that allow our heritage to travel. For us at Madhubani Arts India, every hand-painted saree or journal is a vessel for history. Innovation—whether through AI-driven personalization, global digital outreach, or efficient operations—doesn't change the art; it ensures the artist survives and the story reaches the generation that needs to hear it most.
Beyond the Stage
The most profound moments, however, happened off-stage. Networking with fellow founders reminded me that whether you are a 98-year-old legacy brand or a modern D2C startup, the challenges of sustainable scaling and brand-building are universal.
A heartfelt thank you to
