THE AMERICAN EXPRESS – DASTKAR PROJECT

Previous Next Punjab and Haryana are both parts of that fertile northern plain of India that was known as India’s granary. Traditionally, though women embroidered vivid phulkari bridal spreads and spun and wove the coarse khaddar which was the base cloth, and the area was also known for its fine gold-embroidered juttis, and elaborately worked […]

Previous Next The North-East is one of the richest and most unspoiled areas of India, and this includes its crafts. It is also one of the least known. It has the largest number of handloom weavers in the country – most of them women. In every village and district, every home has a loom, still […]

Previous Next Odisha, on the east coast of India, is one of those quiet underestimated states, with not only a centuries-old cultural and historic heritage, but a galaxy of extraordinary crafts – mostly centred around the temple towns of Konark and Puri, with others in the tribal hinterland. Everyone knows the splendid Sambalpuri and Bargarh […]

Previous Next Delhi, as the centre of Imperial power and privilege for hundreds of years, was a Mecca for talent and creativity. Craftspeople of all ilks migrated to Delhi in search of patronage and orders, developing a unique Delhi style. Jewellery, both silver and gold, enamelled and set with precious stones, textile weaving and printing, […]

Previous Next Both local social and cultural practices and tourism have made Rajasthan a craft paradise. Its diverse communities, each with their distinctive wearing styles, religious rituals, and festivities, mean that costumes, artefacts, the interiors and exteriors of their homes, are all beautifully embellished, with both men and women as makers as well as wearers. […]

Previous Next Jammu and Kashmir has a rich history of crafts – integral to its economy, culture and aesthetic. Almost every family in the Valley has at least one or two members engaged in either making or selling craft. It is a part of India that contains every possible hand skill – from intricate kani […]