JOIN USIn the second edition of the craft festival at the Kisan Haat in Delhi, Dastkar Nature 2013 goes even bigger and better.
Scheduled till October 27, this craft festival will showcase works from 160 craft groups, and small producer groups, as well as new designers working in contemporary ways with traditionally skilled craftspeople representing over 22 states of India.
Dastkar features the return of two beautiful metal crafts, silver inlay on black metal Bidri craft from Karnataka and the revival of Pune Tambat copper-wares in a beautifully designed range. Looking out for things to redo the interiors of your house? Look no further as the craft festival offers papier-mâché crafts, Dhokra and Bastar metal artworks, pottery, Bagh block-print home linen and furniture in wood, cane or Sarkhanda grass.
From the south, Tamil Nadu brings paper lamps and hammocks, Kerala brings its murals, lacquered wood items and banana fibre decoratives come from Karnataka, alongside hand-painted Kalamkari fabrics and woven jute dhurries from Andhra Pradesh.
Alongside, Dastkar brings a variety of traditional regional painting styles too; from Madhubani and Gond folk art to Rajasthan’s Kavad, Pichwai and miniature paintings, and Patachitra scrolls from West Bengal.
Choosing from a wide selection of jewellery, accessories and traditional footwear, the craft enthusiasts would be left befuddled. As always, regional textile traditions from Bandhini and Leheriya tie-dye along with Ajrakh, Bagh, Bagru and Dabu block prints are present; natural-dye Odisha tribal Kotpat and Assamese Bodo weaves, tussar silks, fine Chanderi and Maheshwari cotton-silks, ikats from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, organic and khadi cottons to sophisticated Banarasi brocades. Embroidered textiles include Suf and other Kutchchi embroideries, Lambani and Kasuti from Karnataka, West Bengal Kantha and Bihar’s Sujini.
10 different interactive craft workshops- in diverse folk painting styles to sanjhi paper-cuts, pottery to papier-mâché, along with beadwork and fun finger-puppets- engage daily visitors with the craftsmen taking up the shopping experience one notch higher. With multifarious activities for all generations, this craft festival offers interesting options for everyone in a family. All what you have to do is, chalk out your plans to cover this huge craft festival over the weekend.