The Dastkari Haat Samiti will kickstart its 38th year craft bazaar that aims to keep Indian craft legacy alive and artisans afloat. The event will be held between January 1, 2024, to January 15 at Dilli Haat INA, New Delhi.
With an illustrious history of 38 years dedicated to preserving India’s rich crafts legacy, the Dastkari Haat Samiti introduces a captivating theme for this year’s crafts bazaar. The event showcases a myriad of artistic expressions, offering a new experience to patrons and enthusiasts alike.
Over the years, it has held over 150 bazaars, conceptualised important interventions and strove to secure the market for Indian artisans. It reintroduced calligraphy into crafts and developed extensive online documentation of 52 crafts from throughout India for the Google Arts & Culture site.
The organisation’s crafts maps depicting all Indian states and its array of publications on crafts practices stand as iconic milestones.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual craft exchange workshops with international craftspeople couldn’t be conducted due to uncertainties and travel restrictions.
Encompassing 170 stalls, the bazaar will showcase an extensive range of crafts including weaves, hand block prints, embroideries, traditional arts like Lehariya, crafts crafted from grass, bamboo, metal, wood, and various plant materials, exquisite jewelry, stationery, ceramics, terracotta, and tribal art forms such as Gond, Kalighat, Phads, and Pattachitra.
This year, artisans from 22 states, including 65 national and state awardees, will participate, offering 45 live demonstrations. Unique crafts from different states, such as Leaf Printing on textiles from Gujarat, Lehariya from Rajasthan, Jute products from Maharashtra, and more, will be on display, showcasing the rich diversity of India’s craftsmanship.
Visitors to the bazaar can witness live demonstrations of remarkable skills, including Sanjhi Craft from Uttar Pradesh, Madhubani Painting from Bihar, Pattachitra Painting from Orissa and West Bengal, Gond Painting from Madhya Pradesh, and many others.
The event will be adorned with captivating cultural performances, featuring Rajasthani folk music, Kalbelia dance from Barmer, Rajasthan, and Chaau Dancers from West Bengal, providing a vibrant backdrop to the crafts exhibition.
Moreover, a groundbreaking workshop is set to debut, merging the realms of Graphic Design with Traditional Art Forms. Spearheaded by Dr Dimple Bahl in collaboration with Dastkari Haat Samiti, this innovative workshop aims to blend graphic design finesse with artisans’ craftsmanship, creating a unique fusion of contemporary visual design with traditional artistry.
The entry fee for this enriching cultural experience is Rs 30.
When: 11.00 am – 8.00 pm; January 1- January 15, 2024
Where: Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
