35th Dastkari Haat Annual Crafts Bazaar: Celebration of Indian handicrafts

The annual Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar at Dilli Haat opened with heartwarming music from Kutch and reverence for various crafts by the dignitaries and spectators. This is the 35th edition of the Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar and will be held till April 15.

The annual crafts bazaar at Dilli Haat by Dastkari Haat Samiti was inaugurated on 3rd April 2021 by Anjana Somany, Founding Member of Crafts Council, Dr Sharmilla J Dua - Faculty NIFT, Dr Sudha Dhingra- Faculty NIFT, Justn McCarthy - Faculty Ashoka University, Dancer and Musician, and Dimple Bahl - Faculty NIFT were also present on the occasion.

The Dastkari Haat Samiti has been working for the dignity and economic upliftment of its members since March 1986. It is a milestone to emerge out of the troubles of the COVID-19 pandemic to create multiple events aimed at marking its three and a half decades of creative work. Despite limited resources and problems of collective activity and even mobility, they have some major offerings for the public.

A special sari Exhibition with 15 crafts persons under the title Sari Specialists of India: The exhibition showcases 10 new saris by each craftsman giving 150 new saris designs in natural block printing, dyeing, weaving, batik, shibori, and others. The colorways, blocks, and combinations are theme-based, some are naturally dyed, some are revivals of decades-old blocks and geometric explorations.

An e-book (temporarily, and a printed publication later) was launched offering documentation of 21 art, craft, and textiles skills of India, covering over 100 styles and techniques. A fully revised and re-energised website dastkarihaat.org was launched that not only reveals 35 years of work but the entire atmosphere of our crafts bazaars, with videos, skill demonstrations, and very short snippets of crafts persons speaking. A separate shopping website is also being prepared where the Dastkari Haat Samiti’s over 200 products exclusively designed with its artisan and artist members during its multiple formal and informal projects over the years will be offered to customers.

This is one of a very few events where artisans are not only presenting their skills but are also getting an opportunity to talk about their life and challenges during the pandemic.