JOIN USThe Annual Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar is back. In its 27th season, the haat is exhibiting some of the major handicrafts and handlooms from various states at INA Dilli Haat.
The highlights of the craft bazaar, which will go on till January 15, include live demonstration of artisans working on handlooms, best of crafts by national and state awardees from different states. To entertain the crowd, folk and cultural performances are also being given by artistes daily.
A 190 craftsmen from villages, towns and cities are displaying their work and traditions in a never-seen-before way along with wonderful embroideries from Pakistan in the latest styles.
Mangesh Todkar from Nagpur has something unique to offer – clocks, made on pieces of wood with unusual concepts like animals, transport, gods, insects, flowers and also the Indian flag. It is his maiden exhibition in the Capital. “I have been doing this for 10 years now. We also do workshops in Nagpur with other people and teach them how to make these clocks,” he says.
A stall attracting a lot of women is the one selling glass bangles. Mohammad Ali from Uttar Pradesh remains busy through the day. But what is so special about his bangles. “These bangles do not have a joint and these are not easily available in the markets.”
Papier-mâché items are also getting a lot of attention. One can buy lamps, flower vases, showpieces, wall clocks, plates, coasters, etc. Out of all products, lamps are the ones being picked up the most. Also available are terracotta items, colourful kites, lamps and Lord Ganesha idols made from white cement.
Another stall is selling knives with calligraphy on them. The silver-coated knives have various designs like elephants, horses and lions. The range is quite high and depending on the work, the price can even go up to Rs 10, 000.
Calligrapher Rajesh Gehlot from Jodhpur says, “I have been designing knives for the past 20 years and it takes at least 10 days to make one knife. The knives have silver and gold wiring work and are replicas of the originals belonging to Rajas and Maharajas. A lot of foreign tourists are buying them as this is something very unique for them.”