Dastkar bazaar is back to knit craft traditions together

New Delhi [India]: Get your shopping bags ready as Dastkar Nature Bazaar is all set to bring a wide range of arts and crafts – pots, textiles, jewellery and what not – from all over India to Bengaluru.

With more than 100 craft groups, small producer groups from 20 states across India, the 13th edition of the bazaar will help promote the country’s crafting and handmade traditions.

Put together by a not-for-profit NGO established in 1981, Dastkar, the bazaar aims at helping craftspeople regain their place in the economic mainstream, in a country where craft is second only to agri culture in providing employment.

From metal crafts, carved furniture and decorative products to lifestyle accessories, jewellery and herbal beauty products – there is something for everyone at the 10-day event. Also on offer at the stalls are basketry and fibre crafts, leather products, traditional paintings, a variety of hand-woven, embroidered, block printed textiles and much more from every corner of the country.

At the bazaar, you will find some distinctive attractions like Al-Hind creations, patti ka kaam; Anwar Handicraft – marble carving; Baragaon Weaves – hand-woven cotton sarees; Hari Krishan Dhalia – juttis; Kastoori sarees – Banarasi and Jamdani sarees; Samoolam – crochet jewellery; Meetu Handloom – hand-woven cotton bed covers; Aarohana Ecosocial – recycled bags; Gopal Hand Prints – hand block printed yardage and bed sheets; Tangibles – bead work; Live Crafts – wooden lacquer toys; Kalam Kaushal and Somya Boutique – stitched garments.

Also, there will be designer labels, like Cotton Rack, Sunbird, Soumya Tambi, Surajit Maji, Mahua Boutique and Yuti’s Handlooms and Aboli.

Laila Tyabi, founder of Dastkar, said, “Dastkar and our family of participating craftspeople love Bangalore! We always get such a responsive, enthusiastic reaction to both the products and the craftspeople who make them. Dastkar’s objective is to bridge the gap of awareness and interaction between the crafts person and the consumer without the intervention of government agencies or commercial middleman.”

“In Bangalore you really see that happen. This latest exhibition will bring together more than 100 craft groups: small producer groups from 20 states across India. Dastkar always gives opportunity to new craft groups; there will be 19 new craft producer groups and 8 designers this time; exhibiting their unique products for the first time at the Bengaluru Nature Bazaar,” Tyabi added.

The bazaar-goers can relish delicacies and beverages from the traditional multi-cuisine food court that will have food stalls from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

Apart from enjoying some cultural performances by the ‘Manganiyar Kids’ and ‘Terah Taali Dance’ from Rajasthan, one can learn something of the country’s craft as Dastkar will also organise Craft Workshops in pottery making, clay modelling and Madhubani painting.

The bazaar is being held between August 11 and 20 at Manpho Convention Centre. ( ANI)