By IRNA,
New Delhi : Paper Machie work on steel, Madhubani paintings on trunks and boxes as well as wood carving traditionally done on blocks now on lamps and mirrors and boxes-Handcrafted items from India and neighboring countries will be on display here as of January 4.
The 24th fortnight-long annual craft bazaar ‘Crafting Friendships’ organized by Dilli Haat, New Delhi in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dastkari Haat Samiti and Jamia Millia Islamia, is set to be held in the Indian capital city.
Craftswomen from countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to display their wares, demonstrate their skills and exchange designs and techniques under the guidance of designers, provided by Dastkari Haat Samiti.
‘Craft and design in today’s world is important for how it innovates to get creations to the market. This is especially true for India where in many cases traditional craftspersons don’t have access to a local manufacturing base, funds, design inputs or marketing support.,’ pti reported quoting activist and craft promoter, Jaya Jaitly, Founder of Dilli Haat and Founder President of National Association of Crafts People.
‘We work with traditional artists at the local level helping them get access to raw material, give them design inputs and the success stories are represented through these exhibitions we carry out in major cities across India.
‘When you buy a product from our exhibition, not only do you get a unique handcrafted product, you actively participate in preserving Indian arts and crafts and in sustaining the livelihoods of the craftsperson’s,’ Jaitly said.
The craftswomen have been brought together by the South Asian Women’s Network (SWAN) and the exhibition would showcase dying Indian art forms with strong focus on contemporary design.
Beginning with a two day seminar on “Sustainable Livelihoods For Women through Crafts” and a Skill Exchange Workshop, the bazaar will also feature puppet shows, Rajasthan Lok Geet, Folk Dance, Kalbelia specially organized in the bazaar.
Special seminars will help develop designs of basket making, carpet weaving, hem, and wood carving, zardoosi and namda among others.
There is also a treat for school children with workshops held daily for three hours to teach paper craft, wire toy and bamboo craft.
Skills from other countries including carpet weaving, embroidery and pottery from Afghanistan, textile and bamboo weaving from Bhutan, silk weaving from Myanmar, embroideries and parandas from Pakistan and Batik and woodwork from Sri Lanka would be demonstrated in the exinition.