Kullu Karishma was created by default. The whole exercise started in an effort to find a way for value addition to the raw angora wool locally and produce products for the local markets and for the tourists who flock to these lovely mountains when the plains of India get scorching hot in the summer months. The art of spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet of wool is centuries old in these mountains. The knowledge of these crafts a necessity, both men and women were equally well versed in these crafts. The main reason for this was the freezing cold weather of the mountains which necessitated the use of wool for apparel as well as home furnishings. Whereas weaving was mainly restricted to the higher mountains; the lower mountains areas had more needle work as well as the use of fibers other than wool.
In the initial years [early nineties] a lot of time was expanded in gathering these women into some kind of collective however these efforts failed. This was mainly due to the fact that these areas have been over exposed to the subsidy and grants culture which meant that as soon as you mentioned an association/cooperative being formed there was an expectation of getting money without doing anything. The moment they realized that is not really going to happen there was total disinterest. However over a time period a small group was created who desperately needed the work and was willing to work for it. However at this stage another problem was encountered which was basically to do with mistrust, which literary meant that they wanted to be paid the moment they had spun/ knitted some product irrespective of its shape/size etc...There was no interest in who will buy it or will it sell at all.