Award-winning artisans come together at Dilli Haat

If you wish to experience the authentic spirit of Indian handicrafts and handlooms at one stop then Master Creations 2014 at Dilli Haat, INA is the place to be. The exhibition features different stalls by various national awardees, Shilp Guru and Sant Kabir award winners from the length and breadth of India.

The main attraction at the exhibition were the miniature paintings of Rajasthan, woollen shawls of Bhuj-Kutch of Gujarat, handblock paintings from Madhya Pradesh, beautiful and intricately carved pottery of Manipur, colourful paper machie items from J&K, leather puppets of Andhra Pradesh etc.

Other handicrafts on display included wood and stone items embellished by traditional carvings, metal and stone engravings and inlay work which have been a part of Indian culture since ages.

“The fact that these handlooms are being sold by the real hands behind it and also the colourful and detailed phulkari work from Punjab has really attracted and won my appreciation”  Gayatri a management professional told Metrolife. The visitors were delighted to buy genuine crafts and handmade items from the artisans  themselves who are involved in craftmaking since generations.

“The customers are always doubtful of the real craftwork but here they are buying the shawls confidently, says Damji Premji Vankar, 12th successor of the family business of Kutch-Bhuj woollen shawls.

Dilli Haat has always been working towards bridging the gap between the rural and urban India by providing a platform to the original craftspersons to display their ware in the urban setup. Handicrafts provide employment to more than 7.4 million artisans in our country and the exhibitions like Master Creations has given impetus to this sector. However, the business has not turned so well for the artisans this year.

But they are hopeful of getting more visitors in the days to come. “I have not sold as many items as before but I am hoping to get more customers in the remaining days of the exhibition because my designs are exclusive in the whole country” says Dayal Mehru, a tie and dye textile artisan from Orissa. The exhibition plays a big role in supporting the handicraft sector which is witnessing a dip in the local market. It
concluded on Monday.