Rooftop - A movement for the artists by the artists!

Walk into the home of a traditional Indian artist, and you’ll likely find more than just paint and canvas. You’ll hear the hum of folk songs, see walls lined with stories passed down through generations, and feel the quiet pride of someone carrying forward a legacy. At Rooftop, these homes are where our journey begins. We don’t just feature or help you learn Indian art we co-create it with the artists who live and breathe it. Every workshop, every course, every book and product on Rooftop is the result of a real partnership: between us and the artists, between heritage and modernity, between the roots and the rooftops. We make these collaborations truly authentic honouring tradition, building trust, and helping Indian art reach hearts around the world. Here’s how we do it and why it matters.

No middlemen. No mass reproductions. We believe that the best way to preserve Indian art is by partnering directly with the people who know it best the artists themselves. Every course, workshop, painting and product on Rooftop is developed in collaboration with real Indian artists, many of whom come from generational art families. These are not just skilled painters, but cultural storytellers who have lived and learned their art through tradition. Whether it is our Phad painting course co-created with master artist Kalyan Joshi, Bhil courses by Bhuri Bai and Lado Bai or our Online Pichwai art class is taught by Master artist Rajaram Sharma ji and so on - our platform is built on authentic artist collaborations that respect tradition, empower creators, and bring Indian art closer to people everywhere

From the brushes used to the stories told, we ensure that the original methods of painting are respected and passed on. Rooftop’s artists are more than instructors they’re creators, mentors, and brand ambassadors. Our courses are filmed in the artist’s own environment, and our books include motifs, stories, practice pages and details commended by the artist themselves. This way, you’re not just learning an art form you’re learning it the way it’s meant to be learned.

Unlike mass marketplaces, Rooftop gives artists agency over what and how they teach or sell. They co-create lesson plans, participate in product design, and even share their stories and inspirations on our blog and social media. This helps build real connections between artists and learners. Many of the artists we work with are part of the Rooftop family forever. We co-develop multi-part courses, feature them in brand campaigns, and invite them to lead new product innovations. This ongoing relationship helps artists grow while giving users a deeper learning experience.

By connecting artists in rural and tribal India with art lovers across the globe, Rooftop creates a bridge for cultural understanding. Artists often interact live with students through our workshops, which leads to powerful exchanges of ideas, questions, and appreciation. From hosting puppetry workshops with Pappu Bhatt ji in Abu Dhabi to Block printing workshops for delegations from South Africa. Our workshops are a beginning of a global artistic journey that honour both the creator and the learner.

All artist collaborations on Rooftop are fairly paid. Our Royalty model ensures they benefit directly from each course or painting sold. An artist might start with one class, but then go on to launch their own multi-part series on Rooftop, help co-develop an art kit or an Artventues book, get featured in a festival installation or corporate campaign and of course sell original paintings or limited editions on our platform. We believe this approach helps artists find a more sustainable income and increase value for their work. It also builds trust and stability, and allows artists to scale their practice and skill without leaving their roots.

In today’s world of AI art and fast content, preserving traditional art is more important than ever. Indian art is more about the journey than the destination and authentic collaborations keep the soul of Indian art alive. If you’ve ever taken a Rooftop workshop or bought one of our products or services, you’re not just learning or creating you’re supporting an entire ecosystem of Indian artists who are keeping ancient traditions alive. Explore our latest artist-led courses, curated art books, and handmade paintings all rooted in authentic collaboration and the magic of Indian art.