NIFT Gandhinagar hosted a three-day Craft Bazaar from March 6th to 8th, 2025, featuring Artisan Awareness Workshops, Craft Demonstrations, and a panel discussion on "Viksit Bharat – Virasat evam Vikas."

Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood stated that the three-day event brought together over 40 artisans from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, offering a vibrant platform to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage. The event prominently featured Geographical Indication (GI) crafts, celebrating traditional artistry from different regions of India.  The exhibits included Tangaliya weaving from Saurashtra (Vastadi), Gujarat, renowned for its intricate beadwork woven into fabric. Chanderi and Maheshwari textiles from Madhya Pradesh showcased their lightweight, elegant weaves with delicate motifs. Kutch Shawls from Gujarat, crafted using traditional techniques, exhibited vibrant patterns and fine embroidery. Terracotta art from Uttar Pradesh displayed beautifully crafted pottery and sculptures, while Lac Bangles from Jaipur, Rajasthan, adorned with intricate designs, stood as a testament to the region’s exquisite craftsmanship. The iconic Jaipur Juti, known for its detailed embroidery and vibrant colors, further highlighted India’s artisanal excellence.

In addition to these exhibits, visitors had the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences with master artisans, gaining insights into traditional techniques. The workshops featured artisans demonstrating wood carving, wooden toy making, clay mural art, terracotta pottery, leather goods, Suf embroidery, Bagh printing, natural dyeing, miniature painting, Mata ni Pachedi textile art, and lac bangle making. The event successfully celebrated and preserved India’s diverse craft traditions, offering attendees a rare opportunity to learn from skilled artisans.

The workshops also featured live demonstrations of various traditional crafts, showcasing expertise from different regions. Wood carving from Bhuj, Gujarat, known for its intricate designs, was displayed alongside Varanasi’s wooden toys. Attendees witnessed the delicate craftsmanship of Molela’s clay murals from Rajasthan, depicting mythological and folk themes, along with terracotta pottery from Uttar Pradesh.

Textile and embroidery traditions took center stage, with demonstrations of Kutch’s leather embroidery and Banaskantha’s Suf embroidery, known for its geometric patterns. Bagh printing from Madhya Pradesh, with its bold red and black motifs, and natural dyeing techniques from Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, captivated visitors.

The event also showcased miniature painting from Rajasthan, Mata ni Pachedi from Ahmedabad, and Jaipur’s famous lac bangles. These demonstrations provided valuable insights into India's rich artistic traditions and the unwavering dedication of artisans in preserving these age-old crafts.

This initiative by NIFT Gandhinagar successfully bridged the gap between artisans and design enthusiasts, fostering a deeper appreciation for indigenous crafts. The event offered an excellent opportunity for students, designers, and craft enthusiasts to explore, learn, and support traditional Indian crafts directly from skilled artisans. Through this effort, NIFT contributed significantly to reviving and sustaining India’s artisanal legacy, ensuring these traditional crafts remained relevant in contemporary markets.

Panel discussion on "Viksit Bharat – Virasat evam Vikas

The event brought together esteemed panel experts who shared their insights on the occasion. The session moderated by Mr. Asit Bhatt, Associate Professor.

Sh. Ramsinh Rathwa – Chairman TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India

Dr. Sanjay Joshi, IAS – Executive Director, iNDEXT-C

Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar – Director, GNLU

Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Sood – Director, NIFT Gandhinagar

Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Mondal – Director, NID Ahmedabad

Sh. Raman Dutta – Founding Member & General Secretary, BSL

Sh. Ramsinh Rathwa, Chairman of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, shared his perspectives on the cultural heritage of tribal communities and highlighted the significance of Geographical Indication (GI) tags in safeguarding traditional arts. He emphasized that obtaining GI certification not only protected indigenous craftsmanship but also enhanced its recognition on national and international platforms.

Dr. Sanjay Joshi, IAS, Executive Director of iNDEXT-C, elaborated on the role of government stakeholders in assisting artisans with the GI tag registration process. He stressed the need for governmental support in streamlining the registration process, providing necessary resources, and ensuring artisans received proper guidance to secure GI certification.

Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), along with his team, assured artisans of their commitment to offering essential legal assistance throughout the GI registration process. He underscored the importance of legal expertise in protecting traditional crafts from unauthorized replication and misuse. The GNLU team actively supported artisans in navigating the complexities of GI registration, ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage for future generations.

Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Mondal, Director of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, spoke on the significance of preserving artistic creativity. He referenced the visionary thoughts of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, who, a century ago, emphasized the importance of nurturing traditional craftsmanship. Tagore’s foresight led to the establishment of craft institutions that continue to serve as centers of artistic excellence. Prof. Mondal encouraged building upon this legacy by empowering artisans through education, innovation, and recognition, ensuring the longevity and evolution of India’s artistic traditions.

Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood said that the theme "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat and Vikas," which also aligned with this year's Republic Day celebrations, aimed at making India a Viksit Bharat (Developed Nation) by 2047. This vision was not just an aspiration but a step towards reality, requiring the preservation and integration of India's rich Virasat (heritage). India's cultural and traditional legacy was recognized as a key contributor to shaping a developed nation.

Two essential sectors representing this heritage—Textiles and Tourism—were discussed in depth. As one of the oldest civilizations, India possessed a vast reservoir of cultural treasures, many of which remained unrecognized due to the absence of official Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Securing GI certification for traditional crafts and products was crucial as it provided authenticity and legal recognition, preventing exploitation. Once artisans obtained GI status, they gained access to global markets, improved branding, and secured fair pricing for their products.

The government aimed to facilitate this process, ensuring artisans and craftsmen could protect and promote their traditional art forms. Another crucial aspect of Viksit Bharat was inclusive development, with the goal of uplifting all 1.45 billion Indians by 2047. Achieving this required creating sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas, allowing artisans to thrive in their communities rather than migrating to urban centers.

The handloom and handicraft sectors played a crucial role in this vision by preventing rural-to-urban migration and contributing to a self-sustaining economy. Strengthening these sectors not only boosted the rural economy but also aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the handloom and handicraft industries significantly contributed to gender equity, as over 70% of the workforce consisted of women, far surpassing the UN’s minimum target of 51% women’s participation.

Sustainability was at the core of these traditional industries, as handloom and handicrafts were inherently eco-friendly, promoting environmentally conscious production practices. In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of "Swayam se Vayam" (From Self to Collective), this movement was not just about individual progress but about strengthening the artisan ecosystem and heritage industries.

 

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