Sohrai – Value for Money Products
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
SOHRAI Brand Story: It all began on a sunny afternoon during a transformative train ride. Khanak Gupta, a tenacious young woman, was working in the US but felt a strong pull to return to India and make an impact in the realm of women-led innovation. When she learned about “Jagriti Yatra,” a 15-day train journey across India designed to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with social enterprises and visionary founders, she knew this was her chance. She took a few days off from her job in America and embarked on this inspiring adventure.
On the train, Khanak met Rupesh, a passionate and hardworking individual from a tribal district in Maharashtra. They were paired up to work on a business plan creation project as part of the program. While collaborating, Rupesh shared his deep-rooted research on Mahua, a traditional tribal ingredient, hoping Khanak might be interested—a complete shot in the dark. To his delight, Khanak was captivated by the potential of Mahua, and this shared passion sparked the beginning of Sohrai.
Seven months later, Khanak moved back to India to co-create Sohrai with Rupesh, united by a vision to uncover the secrets nestled within the folklores of tribal communities and bring them to life through skincare.
Their goal is to craft high-performance formulations enriched with natural, tribal-focused ingredients, uniquely blended with modern science-backed components. Starting with Mahua, they aim to highlight its unique benefits and eventually expand into other potent ingredients sourced from India’s tribal heartlands.
The Story of Mahua
The story of Mahua is one of beauty and resilience. For centuries, Mahua has been a significant part of Indian culture, known especially for its unique ability to produce the world’s only liquor made from a naturally sweet flower. However, during British colonization, a ban was placed on the collection and storage of Mahua flowers to protect the sales of imported Spanish wine, leading to a decline in its use and awareness. Today, Mahua is beginning to regain the recognition it deserves.
Rupesh, our co-founder, grew up watching his mother rise at 4 a.m. during the season to collect Mahua flowers. As an oil scientist, he began to see beyond the flowers and discovered the potential of Mahua seed oil in skincare.
His research revealed that tribal communities have long used Mahua seed oil on their skin, appreciating its benefits like smoothening, anti-aging, and pain relief. However, due to the persistent poverty in these communities, the oil is now primarily used in cooking, limiting its broader application.Now, Sohrai is dedicated to reviving Mahua’s legacy, focusing on the powerful properties of Mahua seed oil, and sharing its remarkable benefits with the world through innovative skincare formulations.
website- www.sohraibeauty.com