Press Information Bureau

At Dilli Haat’s Shilp Samagam Mela 2024, the air buzzes not only with the scent of spices and colors of artisanal crafts but also with stories of grit and relentless perseverance. Each stall is a small world, its wares holding tales of resilience and hard-won triumphs, reflecting the spirit of artisans who have journeyed through challenges to bring their craft to life.

Manisha from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, embodies this spirit perfectly. The pandemic posed an unprecedented hurdle for her family’s Kolhapuri chappal business. Yet, while many artisans struggled to keep their businesses afloat, Manisha took a bold and strategic step. Rather than halting production, she chose to continue crafting and stockpiling the chappals, knowing they wouldn’t perish like consumable items. This foresight paid off, and today, she has a team of 20 employees, each pair of chappals handcrafted with the same dedication that sustained her through tough times. Manisha now actively promotes her designs on Instagram, gaining a loyal following and preparing to launch her own website. She proudly displays a contemporary twist on traditional Kolhapuri footwear—bright colors and even chappal keychains—symbolizing her ability to adapt and innovate without losing touch with her roots. While sales have been slow post-Diwali, she remains optimistic that her designs will find a new audience eager for her fresh take on tradition.

       Colours of tradition, handcrafted with care

A few stalls away, Kheta Ram and Yash Pal from Balmer, Rajasthan, share a similar story of persistence. Specializing in Ajrakh fabric, their work reflects an ancient craft unique to Balmer and the Kutch area of Gujarat. The painstaking process involved in making Ajrakh gives it a timeless beauty, one that Yash Pal proudly claims as part of their heritage. Despite lacking an online presence, they’ve built a loyal customer base through word of mouth and ship their products via courier to those who seek this rare fabric. Various loans facilitated by the Ministry of Social Justice, allowed them to expand their business and showcase their craft beyond Rajasthan. For Yash Pal, every sale at Dilli Haat is a testament to their hard work and the strength of tradition in a modern market.

 Threads of Rajasthan, weaving heritage into every fold 

Meanwhile, Rajesh Kumar from Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, has found success with his terracotta creations. His stall brims with customers, attracted by the earthy allure of his art. Terracotta work has been part of Rajesh’s family for generations, each piece a reflection of their dedication. With the help of various loans from the Ministry of Social Justice, he managed to expand his business, though he admits he leaves financial matters to his brother, preferring to focus solely on the craft itself. His stall’s popularity at the mela affirms his passion and dedication, proof that hard work and quality speak louder than any marketing.

 

Curating clay and colours     

 

Neeta Kishan Rao Bhonsle offers yet another inspiring story. Hailing from Mumbai, Neeta crafts sculptures from marble, radium, and stone, her hands bringing life to figures that symbolize more than art—they represent her community’s strength. Neeta has made it her mission to empower women from her village by providing them employment. Unlike many others from her area, these women now have the opportunity to work within the comfort of their own village, creating sculptures that carry their own stories of transformation. As a member of the scheduled caste, Neeta takes pride in uplifting others, channeling her skill into a business that brings beauty and dignity to the lives of her community members.

                          

Bringing divinity to life with handcrafted idols 

 

Together, these artisans weave a narrative of resilience at Shilp Samagam Mela. They’ve faced economic hardships, pandemic obstacles, and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing world. But through innovation, resourcefulness, and sheer dedication, they’ve turned their crafts into more than livelihoods—they’ve crafted legacies. At Dilli Haat, their stories merge into one, a tribute to the unyielding spirit of India’s artisans, who transform raw materials into timeless beauty while preserving the culture, history, and heart of their communities.

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Santosh Kumar/Sheetal Angral/Arushi Singh/Gouri S/Suraj Tiwari

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