 "From the bazaars of India")
It's a balmy winter evening, diffused sunlight filters through the slight haze adding a glow to everything it touches. It seems that the whole city is out to enjoy the Delhi weather, as the roads are chock-a-block with vehicles. Outside Dilli Haat, near INA market in South Delhi, there seems to be a rush to get to the ongoing exhibition, Dastkari Haat, to view the rich arts and crafts heritage from across the nation. Currently in its 28th edition, the bazaar has paintings, textiles, jewellery and home decor items by over 160 craftsmen.The atmosphere inside Dilli Haat, the city's iconic open-air bazaar aimed at showcasing the cultural traditions of India, is absolutely carnival-like. Kalbelia dancers in their swirling black skirts move to the beats of the morchang and dholak. A little ahead, a man on stilts greets families, much to the glee of children. There is a busy air as bargains are struck and purchases are made.
Some of the items, though beautiful and exquisite, have become staple offerings at the Haat. There are the usual stalls selling Madhubani paintings, Bodo stoles and shawls, there are papier mâche lamps, wicker baskets, organic foods and pickles, chikan kurtas and Kashmiri phirans. But there are some stalls that really stand out for their wares, for the simple reason that they offer something new and unique. One of the most striking of these is kawad art by Chittorgarh-based Shree Narayan Arts. "This is a 300-year-old concept. There is a community called Kawadiya Bhat in Rajasthan's Shekhawati area which for centuries has gone from village to village telling stories. They are believed to be from the mythological Shravan Kumar's community," says Devendar Kadam, artist and owner of the shop. "To make their stories more interesting they decided to get them painted, frame by frame by members of the Chitrahaar community. You can say that this used to be the TV of yesteryears." The local ardu wood is used as the canvas as it is soft and lightweight, and watercolours are applied. According to Kadam, the response to the art has been great as less than 1 per cent of the visitors know about this concept. "This year's Rajasthan tableau at the Republic Day parade is going to be based on this theme as well," he says. You can buy kawad art for prices ranging between Rs 400 and Rs 3,000, depending on the size.
A small distance from the entrance is the Kaarigari kiosk. A profusion of colour greets the eye as hangings, pots and home decor pieces in luminous hues are arrayed neatly. "Though we are based in Delhi, our production happens in Pune. The art is local to that city and is called pasting painting," says proprietor Azhar. So you have a fish hanging in hues like pink, green and blue with beads and mirrors pasted on it for Rs 100 while the embellished pots can cost up to Rs 10,000. "We use washable colours on wood and metal," he adds.
A couple of steps lead to a stall cramped with buyers. This is the Ladakhi jewellery stall where traditional necklaces, belts and armlets are displayed. "The designs for the armlet and belt are our creations but the necklace is very traditional. The stones that dominate are coral and turquoise with glass beads called dzi used in abundance," says owner Tobgyal. The jewellery can cost you anything between Rs 400 to Rs 1,000. "Once someone got a huge piece made, to be hung in a hotel, for Rs 4,000," he says.
As one moves towards the food court, a section with bright hangings comes into view. It announces a special cultural collaboration between India and Egypt, which is the country in focus at this year's Dastkari Haat. One can find Indian craftsmen studying the fine pietra dura work while showing them their skills at carpentry and embroidery in return. "We have featured an international collaboration since 2004. We had taken the exhibition 'Akshara: Crafting Indian Scripts' to Cairo, where the vastness of Indian skills was recognised. After that UNDP Cairo and Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID) established contact with us to exchange ideas and skillsets," says Jaya Jaitly, president, Dastkari Haat Samiti. The 13-member team from ENID is headed by renowned development economist and head of the organisation, Heba Handoussa, and comprises young artistes and professionals like a glass weaver who is also a PhD. "Women in south Egypt are not allowed to step out of the house unless they are teachers or doctors. So we started ENID a year-and-a-half ago with the objective of job creation for these women. We follow the 'one village, one product model. So far we have moved about ten skills to ten villages," says Handoussa. The link between Egyptian and Indian crafts goes back centuries. According to her, the threads used to make religious banners as well as traditional tent work in Egypt came from India.
Dastkari Haat is on at Dilli Haat till January 15
Some of the items, though beautiful and exquisite, have become staple offerings at the Haat. There are the usual stalls selling Madhubani paintings, Bodo stoles and shawls, there are papier mâche lamps, wicker baskets, organic foods and pickles, chikan kurtas and Kashmiri phirans. But there are some stalls that really stand out for their wares, for the simple reason that they offer something new and unique. One of the most striking of these is kawad art by Chittorgarh-based Shree Narayan Arts. "This is a 300-year-old concept. There is a community called Kawadiya Bhat in Rajasthan's Shekhawati area which for centuries has gone from village to village telling stories. They are believed to be from the mythological Shravan Kumar's community," says Devendar Kadam, artist and owner of the shop. "To make their stories more interesting they decided to get them painted, frame by frame by members of the Chitrahaar community. You can say that this used to be the TV of yesteryears." The local ardu wood is used as the canvas as it is soft and lightweight, and watercolours are applied. According to Kadam, the response to the art has been great as less than 1 per cent of the visitors know about this concept. "This year's Rajasthan tableau at the Republic Day parade is going to be based on this theme as well," he says. You can buy kawad art for prices ranging between Rs 400 and Rs 3,000, depending on the size.
A small distance from the entrance is the Kaarigari kiosk. A profusion of colour greets the eye as hangings, pots and home decor pieces in luminous hues are arrayed neatly. "Though we are based in Delhi, our production happens in Pune. The art is local to that city and is called pasting painting," says proprietor Azhar. So you have a fish hanging in hues like pink, green and blue with beads and mirrors pasted on it for Rs 100 while the embellished pots can cost up to Rs 10,000. "We use washable colours on wood and metal," he adds.
A couple of steps lead to a stall cramped with buyers. This is the Ladakhi jewellery stall where traditional necklaces, belts and armlets are displayed. "The designs for the armlet and belt are our creations but the necklace is very traditional. The stones that dominate are coral and turquoise with glass beads called dzi used in abundance," says owner Tobgyal. The jewellery can cost you anything between Rs 400 to Rs 1,000. "Once someone got a huge piece made, to be hung in a hotel, for Rs 4,000," he says.
As one moves towards the food court, a section with bright hangings comes into view. It announces a special cultural collaboration between India and Egypt, which is the country in focus at this year's Dastkari Haat. One can find Indian craftsmen studying the fine pietra dura work while showing them their skills at carpentry and embroidery in return. "We have featured an international collaboration since 2004. We had taken the exhibition 'Akshara: Crafting Indian Scripts' to Cairo, where the vastness of Indian skills was recognised. After that UNDP Cairo and Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID) established contact with us to exchange ideas and skillsets," says Jaya Jaitly, president, Dastkari Haat Samiti. The 13-member team from ENID is headed by renowned development economist and head of the organisation, Heba Handoussa, and comprises young artistes and professionals like a glass weaver who is also a PhD. "Women in south Egypt are not allowed to step out of the house unless they are teachers or doctors. So we started ENID a year-and-a-half ago with the objective of job creation for these women. We follow the 'one village, one product model. So far we have moved about ten skills to ten villages," says Handoussa. The link between Egyptian and Indian crafts goes back centuries. According to her, the threads used to make religious banners as well as traditional tent work in Egypt came from India.
Dastkari Haat is on at Dilli Haat till January 15