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Thursday 18 March 2010

India Part 2: Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010

I wrote part of this post a few weeks back but I've been a lil unwell and so have a lot of back-log piling up from my trip to India.

While in New Delhi I managed to visit Dastkar Crafts festival. In fact I ended up going only on the last day! Dastkar is a yearly event that celebrates and showcases gorgeous handmade and artisan products from all over India. I loved every minute of it... I didn't go overboard and buy loads but did take a million pictures.

The God heads

Holy Feet

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010
Jewellery made with thread & recycle paper and newspaper

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010
Rajasthani puppets & blockprinted sketchbooks using Indian handmade paper

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010
Hand crafted kites!

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010
Mithila paintings Mithila region of Bihar state and the lady using the same traditional illustration style painting a sari.

Dastkar Crafts Fair 2010
My favourite ofcourse was the pottery from the state of Rajasthan

Crafts in India is still a very much a 'traditional handed down over generations' affair. Each technique is preserved with family history and each state and region specialises in a specific trade. Ofcourse a lot of effort is being made to keep these traditional crafts alive with NGOs and Fair Trade organisations but I still feel these artisans are totally under-valued and under-paid. How I wish I could spend time learning some of these traditional methords & technique.

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