THENGA BRAND STORY
Sustainable, original, handcrafted.
Thenga is a homegrown brand from Kerala that repurposes coconut waste into lasting, sustainable and handmade home products.
Founded in the year 2019 by Maria Kuriakose, Thenga today is an established brand retailing all over India. A native of Kerala, Maria was always convinced that coconuts are more than just coconut oil and water.
She naturally started looking at the byproducts of coconut processing units and that’s how it all began.
From making her first coconut shell bowl to exporting abroad, Maria and Thenga have come a long way.
PHILOSOPHY
Thenga is for the conscious customer. Each piece speaks of the hands that made it. Cut and polished to reveal the grainy detail in the shell, Thenga products are completely natural, safe and sustainable.
Coconut shells are tough and inherently hardy, so they last for decades and make perfect substitutes for plastic products.
Thenga is all about reusing and repurposing what is traditionally considered “waste.” The team strives to make sure that nothing is left unused at their unit.
Thenga products don’t come with the guilt that is innate in mass produced products. By making products close to nature, Thenga hopes to make better choices available to customers.
The Thenga Model
Known as the tree of life as every part of it used to sustain life, the coconut palm is integral to the idea of kerala. Coconut shells, however, are commonly seen as a useless by product and are generally tossed. Here at Thenga, discard coconut shells get a new lease of life. painstakingly handcrafted into practical aesthetic products, Thenga literally turns trash into treasure.
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Coconuts are harvested from coconut palms.
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Meat, water, husk etc. are extracted for various purposes.
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discarded shells end up in landfills.
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These shells are rescued and processed at Thenga.
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Handmade into partical everyday products while providing employment to rural women.
IMPACT
Handmade and crafted to perfection, Thenga is a labour intensive brand. A women-led venture, Thenga generates permanent employment for many women in the rural district of Palakkad in Kerala. Thenga today employs over 16 individuals permanently while giving steady income to numerous others involved in making coconut shell crafts.
By reusing coconut waste, Thenga currently saves shell leftovers from multiple coconut processing units in Kerala. This waste would have either ended up in landfills or burnt as rudimentary household fuel.
Since its inception in 2019, Thenga has saved over 53,000 coconut shells from being dumped as waste. Transformed into finely crafted bowls and cups, they are being used all over India and abroad today.
Each time you buy a Thenga product, you #saveashell.
Our Team
Maria Kuriakose
Founder
About
Maria is a native of Thrissur, she completed her Graduation in Economics from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai and got her MBA from ICADE Spain. After working for 4 years in an MNC and start up in Mumbai, she decided to quit and start a business in her hometown that would enhance the agricultural economy of Kerala.
At Thenga
She oversees operations and takes up initiatives and strategies that would help Thenga grow to new heights. She handles all marketing initiatives, including social media to communicate Thenga’s story and the women behind the business.
‘I also love spending time and ideating with the artisans who create Thenga products, and is the backbone of our initiative’ says Maria
Leisure
Outside office, she is often thinking about - how to offer the best products to Thenga’s customers. For leisure she occasionally watches Netflix or takes her dogs out on a walk.
Aiswarya Prabhakar
Accounts Manager
About
Aishwarya is from Palakkad and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and has worked previously as an accountant in Malabar metals.
At Thenga
Aiswarya is responsible for Thenga’s finance department, she handles all financial transactions and tax filing so Thenga can carry on making and selling coconut shell products seamlessly.
‘I am very happy to be part of Thenga family and help make sure all transactions big and small, are accounted for accurately’
Leisure
While she is not at work, she is busy with her baby girl Saanvi, who means the world to her.
Sumitha Anoop
Operations Manager
About
Sumitha graduated from Calicut university in applied electronics and instrumentation currently lives in Palakkad and is a proud mom of two kids.
At Thenga
Sumitha is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Thenga, from client interactions, to bringing our products to online marketplaces. She makes sure that all the orders are dispatched to respective customers.
‘I feel lucky to be able to work for a young innovative start up, where I am part of a movement for sustainable living’
Leisure
Reading, traveling, and learning new things
Sindhu
Packaging Expert
About
Sindhu is from Mannarkkad, home to many indigenous tribal communities and wildlife. She nurtured and supported her children, provided education and helped them choose their path of life.
At Thenga
Sindhu oversees the packing process that include tasks like choosing packaging materials, polishing shell with coconut oil, weighing and labelling items appropriately. She also performs final quality checks, so our customers receive the best quality product.
Leisure
When she is not busy packing Sindhu can be found trying different traditional cuisine.
Nirmala v m
Packing Expert
About
Nirmala has an experience of 6 years in retail packaging industry. She lives with her 2 kids. Her dream is to build a home for herself.
At Thenga
She manages everything related to retail orders from choosing the right shells to ensuring proper packing when it reaches our customers.
She is a supportive staff, and always ensures timely delivery of orders.
Leisure
She enjoys cleaning her home and surroundings during free time.
Swathy dilip
Customer Relations
About
Prior to joining Thenga, Swathy worked in Nehru YUVA Kendra and Giri Vikas school. She completed a M. Com at VV College.
At Thenga
Swathi plays an important role of following up with Thenga customers. She always looks for opportunities to get connected with new people for sales maintains a healthy relationship with customers.
‘I am very happy to be part of Thenga family and help make sure all transactions big and small, are accounted for accurately’
Leisure
She enjoys shopping and spending time on Social Media.
Sushma s
Quality Control
About
Sushma is from Kottekad a very down to earth person who started her first job with THENGA.
At Thenga
She handles quality control and assures quality as per set standards for each & every product of THENGA. She gives her best to see that every Thenga product gives delight to our customers.
‘I am very happy to be part of Thenga family and help make sure all transactions big and small, are accounted for accurately’
Leisure
She loves to spend her time with her 2 kids.