New Delhi News, 07 Oct 2019 : No fumes no fire, no pollution this Diwali, Dastkar celebrates Diwali the way it should be and creates a Mini India with crafts and craftsmen from across India at Nature Bazaar
India is one of the world’s most hand-skilled nations; the world could be looking at making things work faster by de-skilling and motorizing workload; but not India. Dastkar is working with over 1 lakh craftsmen in 25 states in India to celebrate and keep the art alive and help craftsmen regain their place in the economic mainstream.
This Diwali, Dastkar will be organizing a two-week-long bazaar with the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS to be held at the Nature Bazaar Venue, Andheria Modh between 10th to 23rd October. The exhibition will feature artisans and their art from all over India, hoping to bring to the visitors a version of creative Mini India. In light of global warming and the high pollution levels in the country, Dastkar is planning to make Diwali an occasion of the beauty of Indian crafts and culture, an eco-friendly Diwali, celebrations the way they should be, the way they were centuries ago.
The exhibition will pay tribute to the different art forms from different regions in India, Natural Fibre Work weaves and Dokra from West Bengal, Cane and Bamboo weaving from Odisha, Madhubani Painting and Sujani Embroidery from Bihar, a Variety of Applique work and embroideries and pottery from Rajasthan, Ajrakh block printing and Bell Metal Work from Gujrat, Paper Mache and Tilla Embroidery from Jammu Kashmir, Block printed home furnishing from Haryana, Recycled Paper products and ceramic pottery from Delhi, Kalamkari and Mangalgiri weaves from Andhra Pradesh, Ikat Weaving from Telangana, Lacquer work from Karnataka, Tanjore Painting from Tamil Nadu, Chanderi Weaving and Bhil Painting from Madhya Pradesh and Carpets and Jewelry from Afghanistan. This is just the tip of the iceberg, the exhibition will be all-inclusive and these are just a few of the craft forms that you will witness there.
The exhibition aims at celebrating the festival of lights, Diwali with cultural performances instead of crackers; ensuring clean and beautiful celebrations. A Sambalpuri Dance Group from Odisha will be performing on the 19th and 20th October and Leather Puppet Show on the 13th of October. The leather puppet demonstration will be conducted by Kalakaar Vikaar Samiti on 11th and 12th October. On 19th and 20th October, Kalu Ram from Rajasthan will be conducting Paper Mache making sessions.
Dastkar, being a society for crafts and craftspeople, ensures to involve the element of craft in its display and decor for all events. For Festival of Lights, Anup Halder and Deepak Devangan will be bringing an interesting mix of Hand made flowers using plant matter known as Sholaptih, as well as decoratives made out of Gourd. A special emphasis has been given towards bringing in the festivities through an array of lighting elements adorned in craft structures that help enhance the overall experience of visiting the venue.
About Dastkar
Started in 1981, Dastkar affects the lives of more than 1 lakh artisans every year working with over 750 crafts groups across 25 The India States. We strongly believe in crafts as a catalytic tool for social and economic empowerment and earning. Dastkar’s role is to help craftspeople find the opportunity, confidence & resources to become self-sufficient. Our Bazaars and Exhibitions provide craftspeople with exposure and direct interaction with the urban customers, enabling them to gauge market trends and customer demands for themselves.
