The Parishkaaree Story
From Friendship to Brand: A Journey Rooted in Culture, Strength, and Bold Conversations
We’re Nila and Tina, two friends who grew up in Kerala, India, surrounded by the rich, vibrant culture of Malayalam cinema, music, and the nostalgia of the 90s. Though we were raised in the same cultural backdrop, life led us down different paths. Yet, no matter where our journeys took us, our shared roots and values remained a constant thread, always weaving us back together.
Where It All Began: From Blog Post to Brand
In 2020, we were already on a creative roll with H4homemaker, a blog we started to help H4 visa holders in the USA navigate life with a bit of humor and a lot of heart. But it was March 2020 that really set things in motion. We wrote a Mother’s Day post celebrating the fierce, unapologetic “Thug Moms” from Malayalam cinema. To our surprise, it blew up! People loved it, applauded it, and connected with the idea of celebrating the strength and resilience of women. This post was the spark that started it all.
A year later, we couldn’t help but think, “Why not turn this into something bigger?” We knew we had something special, so we took the plunge and launched Parishkaaree on April 28th, 2021—a brand dedicated to those same fierce women we had written about. From the Thug Mom post, we designed tees featuring iconic Malayalam movie heroines—characters like KPAC Lalitha, Meena, and Philomena. We had our first set of designs: Classy Sassy/”enna oru parishkaaree’ya” (ft. KPAC Lalitha), Forgive Quickly “Aarayalum onnu pottichitte njan kshamikku..” (ft. Meena), and My House My Rules/ “Aanaparayile aana panineeru thelikkano saambharu vilambhano ennu njanaa theerumanikunne…” (ft. Philomena). Our second venture was off to an exciting start!
A Small Business with Big Dreams
Parishkaaree is a small business, and we’re so proud of that! It’s a print-on-demand brand, which means every product is made just for you when you order it. We don’t keep stock sitting around—we create everything on-demand, ensuring quality and a personal touch in every order. While we started small, with big dreams and limited resources, we’ve always stayed true to our roots—creating meaningful designs for our incredible community. With the success of H4homemaker, we were already seeing the magic of community-building, so we thought, “Let’s take the leap with Parishkaaree!”
We designed our logo, purchased a domain, created an Instagram handle, and officially launched our little dream on April 28th, 2021.
In just one month, we managed to get around 20 orders, and the support from our well-wishers was overwhelming. They shared their excitement, sent us their good luck wishes, and helped us through the early days of building this brand. We reached out to a few friends for collaborations, and their support played a huge part in our early success.
Our Best Sellers: The Tees That Made Us Who We Are
As the months went by, our community grew, and so did our collection. The UDC t-shirt, inspired by the iconic UDC Kumari (ft. the legendary Kalpana), became an instant favorite. It spoke to the nostalgia of Malayalam cinema lovers and the bold, independent spirit of the characters we admire.
Our Parishkaaree Logo tee, with its minimalist yet powerful design, quickly gained popularity, becoming a symbol of our tribe. And, of course, Getting the Bus—a design inspired by the Netflix series Sex Education—struck a chord with Gen Z, who loved the cheeky, fun vibe.
But the one thing that truly stands out in our hearts (and in your hearts too!) is the Pppha tee—simple, bold, and unapologetically us. These tees became more than just items of clothing; they became a statement of individuality and self-expression.
And let’s not forget our Malayalam Movie Dialogues Inspired Calendar—this one is an absolute mega hit every year! You guys love it, and we love bringing those iconic lines to life in your homes.
Accessories: The Must-Haves Loved by All
It wasn’t just about the tees. We quickly realized that our accessories were just as loved! Our coasters, fridge magnets, canvas prints, and posters received rave reviews. Every time a customer shared their excitement about receiving these products, we knew we were on the right path. They weren’t just accessories; they were pieces of nostalgia and culture that people wanted to surround themselves with.
The Breakthrough Moment: OHF Flea Market, Kozhikode
Our real breakthrough came in August 2023, when we participated in the OHF Flea Market in Kozhikode.
It was the moment we realized just how much our brand had grown. Meeting you all in person, feeling your energy, and hearing your stories made everything so much more real. We knew we weren’t just selling products; we were creating something that mattered to people.
” Special Thanks to Dilu & Priya, who made this experience possible for us! Your support, vision, and dedication to small businesses like ours mean the world. Thank you for giving us this amazing platform and for believing in dreamers like us! 💛
Hear it from them.
Support from Celebrities & Our Tribe
One of the most heartwarming parts of this journey has been the incredible support from celebrities like Dr. Shyama, Athira Sujata, Jewel Mary, Shruthi Suresh, and Anjali Subramanian, who have collaborated with us and cheered us on. Their love for our brand has been a huge boost, and we’re forever grateful for their support.
But the real heroes of our journey? You—our Tribe. You’re the heart and soul of Parishkaaree. Every message, every shoutout, every tag, and every word of encouragement you’ve sent our way has been the fuel that keeps us going. You’ve been with us through every high, every low, and every milestone. Without you, there is no Parishkaaree.
The Messages That Keep Us Going
Some of the most touching reviews we’ve received from you are things like:“You girls are so inspiring.”
“Good job, girls!”
“You girls talk our minds out!”
“Liked your IG handle, website, and of course, all the products!”
These words mean the world to us. They remind us that what we’re doing isn’t just about selling products—it’s about making a difference, starting conversations, and celebrating all the things that make us unique.
What’s Next for Parishkaaree?
The road ahead is full of exciting plans. We want to continue empowering women, embracing the bold and unapologetic, and bringing more of our Malayali heritage to the world. We’re working on expanding our product line, collaborating with more amazing people, and of course, keeping the fun, the humor, and the spirit of Parishkaaree alive.
Thank you for being part of our story, for being part of our Tribe, and for making Parishkaaree what it is today. We can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you.
Join us. Wear your story. And let’s keep making noise together!