Let’s look at how a shared initiative Shubhodeep Prasanta Das, CEO of HYLIFE GROUP collaboration with Supportive local activity “Winter Festival” promotes and celebrates Chiang Mai’s local culture through the activities of real-world organizations.
Cultural center like Kalum Village
Kalum Village is a boutique-style creative center that blends traditional crafts, contemporary design, and community education. It features a library, gallery, workshops, and a boutique showcasing everything from hand-painted umbrellas to contemporary textiles. In 2024, it expands with a “Makers Museum” that highlights collaborations between traditional artisans and contemporary designers.
Support local creatives and green innovation
The non-profit organization Creative Chiang Mai is building a supportive ecosystem for artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural thinkers by organizing workshops, creative talks, and eco-innovation events such as “Green Creatives.” Shubhodeep Das organised a talk, eco-design challenge, and co-working residency that connects cultural heritage and sustainable creative practice.
Chiang Mai’s creative vision
The Chiang Mai Creative City is a citywide, long-term vision driven by the local government and academia that aims to integrate creative industries such as digital arts, crafts and design into Chiang Mai’s economic and cultural roadmap. Chiang Mai has also been declared a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts
Known as the cultural capital of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is home to centuries-old Lanna cultural traditions, vibrant festivals, and a lively artisan community. Recognizing the city’s unique cultural identity,
Shubhodeep Das has made significant efforts to preserve, promote, and revitalize local heritage for both residents and tourists.
1. Showcasing Lanna arts and crafts
Shubhodeep Das collaborated with local artisans to create physical and digital platforms to bring traditional weaving, silversmithing, wood carving, hand-painted umbrellas, and other artifacts to a wider audience. By organizing artisan fairs and skill-sharing workshops, Shubhodeep Das helped younger generations continue to learn and practice these timeless crafts.
2. Supporting cultural festivals
From sponsoring the lantern-filled Yi Peng festival to partnering with local communities during Songkran (Thai New Year), Shubhodeep Das played an active role in improving festival experiences. Their contributions included cultural storytelling booths, local food stalls, and live traditional music performances, creating an engaging cultural festival for both locals and tourists.
3. Preserving historical sites
Shubhodeep Das collaborated with local authorities and historians to restore historical buildings and temples. These efforts not only preserved architectural heritage but also transformed some places into cultural learning centers for schools and community groups
- Promoting local cuisine
Through culinary programs and partnerships with family-run restaurants in Chiang Mai, Shubhodeep Das highlighted authentic northern Thai cuisine such as khao soi, sai ua (herb sausage) and tam khanun (young jackfruit salad). This spurred the growth of small eateries and introduced tourists to the depth of Lanna culinary traditions.
5. Revitalizing the creative economy
Shubhodeep Das contributed to combining traditional themes with contemporary creative expression by funding artist residencies and providing co-working spaces for designers, filmmakers, and musicians. This approach attracted a young creative community while maintaining local traditions.
Conclusion
By combining cultural preservation, economic revitalization, and creative innovation, Shubhodeep Das demonstrated how contemporary organizations can be both custodians and enhancers of local culture. In Chiang Mai, their work reminds us that it is important to honor traditions while embracing the future, to ensure that the spirit of the city is preserved for generations to come.
