The renowned Shyam Ahuja brand has officially been bought by Jaipur Rugs, a world leader in the luxury handmade carpet sector. This transfer of ownership of the family business comes before the highly anticipated resuscitation of the renowned 1963 design firm that popularized the flatweave Indian dhurrie. The goal of Jaipur Rugs is to build Shyam Ahuja while honoring the founder’s original vision and reviving the company’s reputation as a luxury brand on a worldwide scale.
Jaipur Rugs is pleased to announce that it has acquired Shyam Ahuja, a high-end rug and fabric company that has been introducing world-class Indian carpets for more than 50 years. Through this transaction, Jaipur Rugs has obtained “the jewel in the crown” of carpeting manufacturing, which includes Shyam Ahuja’s personal collection and his full design record. Jaipur Rugs plans to take advantage of this historic opportunity and grow as a stand-alone business with its own supply chain.
A prosperous businessman at the time, Shyam Ahuja was the visionary behind the luxury rug and textile design brand that was founded in 1963. He saw the potential of the flatwoven dhurrie as a woven canvas and decided to sell it in America, where he developed a cult following among A-list designers. His name came to represent exquisitely made dhurries.
Shyam Ahuja’s brand, renowned for its unique designs, unmatched quality, and worldwide appeal, continues to stand as a testament to subtle sophistication and elegance. Dhurrie: Flatwoven Rugs of India, the seminal work, was written by him. According to his book, the late Princess of Wales reportedly placed her feet on one of his carpets during a candid interview, and they also adorned Gianni Versace’s and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis’ residences.
Mr. Nand Kishore Chaudhary founded Jaipur Rugs in 1978 because he believed that hand-knotted carpets might help rural communities and maintain India’s rich artisanal heritage. His idea has become a well-known worldwide artisan brand that is admired for its ethical corporate practices. Both the late Shyam Ahuja and Nand Kishore Chaudhary prioritized craftspeople in their communication and business endeavors.
With Shyam Ahuja’s tradition of classic design, superb craftsmanship, and steadfast dedication to quality, we are overjoyed to have purchased this outstanding brand. We have a same goal of protecting and enhancing our nation’s handmade wealth. Yogesh Chaudhary, Director of Jaipur Rugs, stated, “We will use the brand’s incredibly strong emotional connection with so many customers and patrons worldwide to bring back the heyday of Shyam Ahuja and re-establish its unique positioning at the top of the market, globally.”
For a long time, I have admired Shyam Ahuja and the brand’s cult-like status. The greatest design archive to curate from is his instantly identifiable dhurrie designs and superb color sense. Seeing Jaipur Rugs acquire the crown jewel—a sleeping beauty that we plan to respectfully resurrect—brings me enormous joy. This is a thrilling time in both of our tales.remarked Greg Foster, Jaipur Rugs’ artistic director.
Shyam Ahuja, a legacy of luxury
Shyam Ahuja has been a trailblazer in the luxury rug and textile sector since its founding in 1963, creating landmarks throughout the world with its instantly identifiable dhurries, understated color schemes, and superb craftsmanship. Shyam Ahuja, who was renowned for his exquisite taste and skill with color, was considered the industry standard for high-end rugs during the 1980s. Famous designs were inspired by a wide range of sources, including the traditional Indian paisley, the Scottish plaid, and the ceiling of Versailles. In terms of art design and graphics, his incredibly imaginative advertising campaigns were revolutionary. Great American decorators like Bunny Williams began to highly respect the brand, and by the 1990s, celebrities like Anna Wintour and Oscar De La Renta had their homes decorated with his carpets. With prosperous stores in Paris and New York in addition to India, it was among the first luxury brands from India to expand internationally. Because of its iconic moniker, which excites devoted collectors, the New York showroom continues to be a force. Recognized for his exquisite color sense and exceptional craftsmanship, the brand is more relevant than ever thanks to its understated luxury and covert wealth codes.
Jaipur Rugs, pioneers in the handmade Rug industry
Jaipur Rugs is currently India’s largest manufacturer of handmade carpets, a social enterprise that has grown into a global luxury brand. The family-owned company has grown to become the largest network of artisans in India with 40,000 + craftspeople working across 650+ villages in India, with a presence in over 85 countries. Significantly, 85% of its weavers are women. Today, Jaipur Rugs employs 1,500 employees who help to support the operations of this huge business in the fields of design innovation and the supply chain. The company has a production capacity of 700,000 square meters of rugs annually and sells over 100,000 units across all markets. With 7,000 operational looms, the company has expanded its presence across the world, operating 10 stores in India and international showrooms in Milan, London, Singapore, Dubai, Russia and China.
Further plans for the revival and development will be announced in due course, while business continues as usual, through showrooms in Mumbai, Delhi and New York.
