DASTKAR - Nature bazaar - Bangalore

Hi friends, its been a very hectic three months on the personal front. Also a lot has happened over these three months. Over the three months I've about 8 posts in my drafts which are awaiting to be completed and find a place for itself in the web world. I start with my visit to Dastakar which happened last month.

 Dastkar is a registered non-profit Organization that is dedicated to enhancing the economic and social well being of India's craftspeople, helping to preserve the rich craft heritage of our country. Working all over India, Dastkar's primary objective is to empower the artisans to use their inherent skills as a means of employment, income generation and economic self- sufficiency alongside preserving our traditional and cultural heritage, which is now taking a toll with extensive urbanization.


            This year the Dastkar – nature bazaar was held at Palace ground Gayatri Vihar entrance, starting from 6^th of august to 15^th august.

            The entrance ticket was prized at Rs 20/-. The nature bazaar truly bedazzled people with its old world charm of a mela, which came alive in the warm and fresh colors of nature. The hues of yellow, orange, green covered up the prominent areas of the grounds. The stalls added their vivid colors to the mood of celebration bringing to life the hidden arts, crafts textiles and the people behind it all.

            As a part of a study in Indian Textile and Costumes we had to visit this crafts fair to see the textiles and the various embellishing techniques from all over the country. The attraction in the fair this year was the active participation by a near 120 groups of NGO’s, artisans, independent designers working with traditional art, selling terracotta, wood works, antique jewellery, metal work, textiles, puppets, traditional toys, natural soaps oils and lotions, beadwork, bamboo work and a lot more which took everyone by awe. The attempt to include workshops was a wonderful initiative by Dastkar as it gave the visitors hands on experience to attempt in creating art works which included bead work, clay modeling, tile making, kite making, puppets with paper Mache, Madhubani greetings, etc. I personally tried my hands on making puppets and a bead work butterfly. It also gave me an opportunity to interact with the artisans who so passionately love what they are doing and are satisfied with it. Added to that, I met a few equally passionate art enthusiasts who have been returning to the fair just to be a part of the various workshops and other cultural events. The cultural dance, songs and puppet shows were also a few added attractions.

                                                                                                

STALLS AT DASTKAR:


The numerous stalls at Dastkar were all very colorful and informative. My two visits to Dastkar fell short to visit all the stalls. Here’s a little gist of the nature bazaar, which was like a breath of fresh air. Focusing on the textiles at Dastkar there were government aided organization, non governmental organizations, self help group, independent artisans community and designers who had put up various stalls selling saris, bedspreads, dress materials, table covers, furnishings and a lot more.
            The Tussars of Bagalpur and Bihar, the embroidery of Kutch and Kathiawar, Kora silk with brocade work, zari work  from Uttar Pradesh, Lambani embroidery and jewels from Sandur, Chanderi, Maheshwari from Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu cotton saris, Pochampalli, the block printed embroidered and woven textiles of Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat filled up the space with an array of colors, textures and designs.

The stalls at the food court brought with them the delicacies from different parts of the country. There were cuisines from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Hyderabad, Delhi, and many others.

VARIOUS STALLS:

·         Dastkar Ranathambore Rajasthan

·         Saathi Chattisgarh

·         Nierja Cotton and village industry Bangladesh

·         Kayan Joshi Rajasthan

·         MI Karigar MP

·         Swadeshi Joy from Goa

·         Devaji Vilji Siju Canker Gujrat

·         Mohammad Ali Mohammed Khatri Gujarat

·         Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan Kutch

·         Asif Milan UP

·         Suresh handprint Rajasthan

·         Jai Chamula/ Ahir Lakni Dana Bain Gujarat

·         Sri Govind Arts from Rajasthan

·         Karam Marg (Jugaad) Delhi

·         Parampara Janaseva Sangha Karnataka

·         Himjoli Delhi

·         Jenab Kazi Ishaaq Mohammud Rajasthan

·         Chaubandi Rajasthan

·         Dastakar Andhra AP

·         Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra

·         Berozgaar Mahila Kalyan Sanstha

·         Vankar Kantilal Samat Gujarat

·         Ramananda Basak WB

·         Vasundhara Gramottan Samiti Rajasthan

·         G.V. Sarees Tamil Nadu

·         Anirudh Devangan Chattisgarh

·         Aagora Dagra Afad Assam

·         Sadhana Seva Mandhir Rajasthan

·         Bapali Kosta Weaver’s Cooperative Society Ltd. WB

·         Kiran Kashmir

·         Gopal ganj Silk Utpadak Prathmik Bunakatr

·         Hastakala alankaran Shilp WB

·         SURE Rajasthan

·         Nasir Ahmed UP

·         Kadam WB

·         Desert Craft Rajasthan

·         Haji Anisurrelium from UP

·         Kullu Karishma HP

·         Sailesh Harizan Hastshilp Bihar

·         Decentralized Cotton Yarn trust AP

Under its colorful umbrella and the open air set up it brought with it the rich handicrafts of our country right into the heart of the city, giving us an experience of the different states and villages which is the true soul and the wealth of our nation. Walking out of a fair like this has always left me with a proud patriotic feeling of love for my country and more so, on my last visit to Dastakar as it was also the 63^rd Independence Day of our country.

P.S: If you didn't make it this time, fret not, DASTKAR comes to town every year. Make sure YOU DON'T miss it the next time its here.