NIFT Gandhinagar organised a press conference to share details of ‘CHHAAP@Sabarmati 2026’, scheduled to be held from 23 to 30 October 2026 at Event Centre A, Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad. On the occasion, Director of NIFT Gandhinagar, Professor Dr. Samir Sood, briefed the media on the key features of the festival and the various programmes planned as part of the event.

The 8-day festival will celebrate India’s rich handicraft heritage, creativity and contemporary design. With the collaborative participation of NIFT’s 20 campuses across the country, the event will promote India’s handloom and handicraft traditions.

Dr. Samir Sood stated that the theme of CHHAAP@Sabarmati 2026, “સ્વર્ણિમ ભારત – વિરાસત અને વિકાસ | Rooted in Heritage. Reimagined for Tomorrow”, reflects the vision of establishing a meaningful dialogue between India’s rich cultural heritage and its aspirations for the future. CHHAAP is a signature event of NIFT, previously organised in Delhi in 2024 and Hyderabad in 2025. This year, the festival will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, offering a distinctive experience in the field of handicrafts.

The festival will feature 9–10 special activities, including a Virtual Reality (VR)-based handicraft experience. Using VR headsets, visitors will be able to explore the handicrafts and cultural traditions of different Indian states through immersive experiences.

He further stated that a special fashion walk inspired by India’s textile traditions would be presented during the inaugural programme. Through this approximately 14-minute presentation, the journey of India’s textile heritage—from the Indus Valley Civilisation to khadi and the modern textile industry—will be showcased, highlighting the contribution of the textile sector to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Dr. Sood noted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently emphasised the role of the ‘3Ts’ in building a Viksit Bharat, with textiles being the first ‘T’. The fashion walk will highlight the contribution of India’s textile industry to the country’s progress. In addition, the festival will feature handicraft exhibitions, live demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions and cultural programmes.

About CHHAAP

CHHAAP is a distinctive initiative of NIFT that brings together artisans, alumni, current students, designers and the general public on a common platform to foster shared understanding and appreciation of India’s art, textile traditions, handicrafts and cultural heritage.

The Ahmedabad edition will feature stalls set up by more than 100 artisans and NIFT alumni, the NIFT Theme Pavilion, exhibitions under the NIFT Craft Cluster Initiative and outreach programmes, handicraft exhibitions, live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, craft conversations, cultural programmes and technology-enabled experiences.

The initiative aims to enhance the visibility of traditional handicrafts, strengthen direct engagement between artisans and consumers, and highlight opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and design-led development.

 

Ten signature experiences celebrating India’s creative heritage

CHHAAP@Sabarmati will feature a curated programme of signature events, each offering a distinctive way to experience India’s craft and design ecosystem.

Kala Sandhya – The Inaugural Signature Celebration:Scheduled for the evening of 23 October, the opening celebration will bring together patriotic and cultural expression, textile heritage and contemporary design. Highlights include Vande Mataram by the Indian Air Force Band, Sabarmati Aarti, a curated fashion showcase inspired by India’s textile legacy and a drone show.

Kala Pradarshan – Craft Exhibition and Marketplace:Visitors will be able to explore and purchase handloom and handicraft products directly from artisans, discovering the diversity of India’s handmade traditions and the stories behind their creations.

Kala Pratyaksham – Live Craft Demonstrations and Hands-on Workshops: Skilled artisans will demonstrate traditional techniques and invite visitors to engage with crafts such as Saudagiri block printing, blue pottery, pottery, paper mâché and lac bangle making.

Kala Vivechana – Panel Discussions: Thought-provoking conversations will explore the evolving relationship between heritage, design, development, craft identity and contemporary market opportunities.

Kala Darshan – Immersive Craft Experiences: Virtual reality-based experiences will enable visitors to engage with India’s craft heritage through technology-led interpretation.

Kala Vaarta – Craft Conversations: A platform where artisans, designers, practitioners and experts share their knowledge, experiences and insights into traditional skills, materials, craftsmanship and creative practices.

Kala Kumbh – A Celebration of Textile Masterpieces: The programme will highlight the richness, diversity, artistry and cultural significance of India’s textile traditions.

Kala Gurukul – Masterclasses: Interactive learning sessions will offer opportunities to engage with traditional and contemporary creative practices under the guidance of experienced practitioners and experts.

Kala Navonaksham – NIFT Theme Pavilion: The pavilion will present innovative design perspectives inspired by India’s heritage and reimagined for the future, showcasing the role of design in connecting tradition with contemporary aspirations.

Kala Samagam – Valedictory Celebration: The concluding programme on 30 October will bring the eight-day celebration to a close, providing a platform for interaction and exchange among artisans, designers and members of the creative community.

A vibrant cultural programme throughout the week

Beyond the craft marketplace and knowledge-sharing sessions, CHHAAP@Sabarmati will celebrate India’s cultural diversity through a series of evening performances. The programme includes Gujarati Garba and Dandiya, RajasthaniKalbelia, Rajasthani folk music, Punjabi Bhangra and Giddha, and a live performance by an Ahmedabad-based orchestra. Together, these performances will add a festive dimension to the event and create an engaging cultural experience for visitors.

Connecting heritage with the vision of Viksit Bharat

India’s traditional crafts and textiles embody generations of knowledge, ingenuity and cultural expression. CHHAAP@Sabarmati seeks to recognise the contribution of artisans and craft communities while drawing attention to the potential of design, innovation and entrepreneurship to strengthen the sector’s future. Through exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, discussions and immersive experiences, the event will encourage audiences to look beyond the finished product and appreciate the skills, stories, techniques and cultural identities embedded in every craft. It will also reinforce the importance of preserving traditional knowledge while enabling craft practices to evolve in response to contemporary needs and opportunities.

Invitation to the public and media

NIFT Gandhinagar invites media organisations, craft enthusiasts, design professionals, students, families and members of the public to participate in this celebration of India’s living heritage.

Registration link e Passes:  https://register.chhaap.tech/register

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