Begin your New Year on an arty note with the biggest crafts mela in town starting January 1, 2012. Two hundred artisans from all over India will display their handcrafting skills at this bazaar cum exposition.
The 25th edition of Annual Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar has many firsts. The bazaar has 40 new artisans from the interiors of the country, whose works have never been showcased in Delhi earlier.
It’s time for Africa In another first, 12 artisans from five African countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and Rwanda) are coming to the venue. Under the program, Handcrafting Promises for Crafts Skill Development, the African artisans will showcase their skills in basket weaving and beadwork between 11 to 4 in the central courtyard of the Haat from January 3-14. "The workshop will help in healthy exchange of ideas and skills between the artisans of India and Africa," says Jaya Jaitly, president of Dastkari Haat Samiti.
Shopper’s paradise
From Kashmiri durries (Namada) and woollen carpets (Gabba) to jute and bamboo furniture from Ahmedabad, Aipan painting from Uttarakhand, Lambani embroidery from Karnataka, bead and appliqué work from Gujrat, the visitors can buy a range of Indian crafts. The Moosari tribe from Bihar will display appliqué and sujani (stitch work) done by them.
Shopper’s paradise
From Kashmiri durries (Namada) and woollen carpets (Gabba) to jute and bamboo furniture from Ahmedabad, Aipan painting from Uttarakhand, Lambani embroidery from Karnataka, bead and appliqué work from Gujrat, the visitors can buy a range of Indian crafts. The Moosari tribe from Bihar will display appliqué and sujani (stitch work) done by them.
The Indian Black Pottery from the Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh with floral designs will cost Rs 20-R20,000. Weaving states together Weavers from 12 states including Bihar, Gujrat and Jammu Kashmir will demonstrate the art of making different handlooms. Errol, a senior faculty member from National Institute of Design, will share techniques of camel belt braiding from Rajasthan. Apart from this, there’s be workshops on Madhubani and Gond paintings, thread jewellery, puppet making and dance acts such as Kalbeli and Bhavai.
Not to be missed this year
* Twelve African artists showcase their craft skills at the courtyard between 11am to 4pm from January 3 to 14
* Workshop on camel belt braiding from Rajasthan by Errol from NID, Ahmedabad
* Indian black pottery on sale from Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh
* Live handloom weaving by artisans from 12 states
* Folk dance and music from Rajasthan such as Kalbelia, Langa, Bhavai
* Workshop on crafts such as Madhubani and Gond paintings, paper-mache and puppet making between 11am to 4pm from January 3 to 14