The Sikara Story

Sikara is Modern Fusion Jewelry™ and is a reflection of the founder's life as a first generation Indian-American.

Sikara is inspired from the Indian word, Shikara, which means houseboat. It symbolizes the journey we take in life which results in a fusion of experiences. As a teenager, founder Mousumi Shaw helped her mother, an immigrant from India, start up her own jewelry company in the United States. Fourteen years later, Mousumi decided to launch Sikara, which incorporates her passions for art, jewelry and other cultures.

She travels the world, where she works with her team of inspirational designers to create country collections. Through these international collections, Mousumi takes you on a voyage, sharing the culture and history of each country.

Sikara is Modern Fusion Jewelry™ and is a reflection of Mousumi's life as a first generation Indian-American. Although her ancestral roots are from India, she has been influenced by a multi-cultural world. Her travel and life experiences in over thirty countries have become engrained in her personality, her sense of style and the design of Sikara.

"Fusion" represents our lives in today's world. It is a blend of our past heritage and a new modern spirit. Sikara speaks to this fusion. As you'll see on the website, Sikara's sterling silver jewelry collection is elegant, powerful and a fusion of style. The 2009 Collection includes designs inspired from India, Mexico, Italy, and Egypt.

"Between our family road trips across the US and travels to the Far East, my mom has taught me not only to have a love for our ancestral Indian culture but also a deep appreciation for other cultures. A passion for travel is embedded deep in my genes as well. I’ve visited over 30 countries in the past 10 years, opening my eyes to foreign cultures, and politics, oftentimes not found in the textbooks. My travels have inspired me to work with a network of international designers to present a truly unique line of jewelry. When a person purchases a piece, they also learn about the history and culture pertaining to the country where the designer of the piece originates."

Mousumi Shaw
Founder & CEO of Sikara & Co.

Our Founder's Story

Mousumi is passionate about everything she pursues in life, which is why Sikara is so special to her.  Her passion for traveling internationally rose out of her deep desire to better understand our world:  to understand the history of countries, to hear the stories of the local people and of course to experience their culture.

 In addition to her entrepreneurial and private sector interests, Mousumi also has an interest in government and nonprofits.  Her experiences in public service range from serving as a Congressional Page when she was a teenager to serving in the National Economic Council at the White House for Dr. Laura D'Tyson and President Clinton while still in college.

She is also dedicated to the mission of empowering others through entrepreneurship and leadership with her role on the Advisory Board of C.E.O. Women, a nonprofit helping immigrant woman to start their own businesses and as a founding member of Indus Women Leaders.

Mousumi graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in South Asia Regional Studies and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School.  She recently finished her joint masters degree at Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government.  During her time off, she enjoys photography (she's responsible for all the travel photography on this website!), spending time with her family and friends, rowing on the river and gallivanting around the globe.