Dastkari Haat Samiti, a collective dedicated to empowering India’s artisans, is marking its 40th year with a special Diwali Bazaar at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. The event, running from September 26 to October 5, 2025, features nearly 90 stalls showcasing handmade crafts, textiles, and traditional art from across the country.
Founded in 1986, the Samiti has worked to provide visibility and livelihood to craftspeople, ensuring that traditional practices continue to thrive in modern India. Over the decades, it has become a national platform for rural artisans, preserving art forms that might otherwise fade away while encouraging dialogue between tradition and contemporary design.
This year’s Diwali edition has been designed around the concept of a “jewel box,” with stalls curated in jewel-toned settings. The bazaar presents a wide range of crafts, including block prints, handloom weaves, bamboo and grass products, wooden and metalware, terracotta, ceramics, jewellery, and stationery. Demonstrations of traditional art practices such as terracotta sculpting, Madhubani and Gond painting, and miniature art are also part of the showcase, allowing visitors to witness the creative process firsthand.
Craft Highlights
- Handloom weaving from Kutch, Gujarat, known for its colorful geometric patterns.
- Sohrai painting from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, featuring mural art with animal and geometric motifs.
- Shibori textiles from Rajasthan, created through resist-dyeing techniques with natural dyes.
- Sabai grass weaving from Odisha, offering eco-friendly baskets, mats, and decorative pieces.
- Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra, traditional handcrafted leather sandals renowned for their strength and distinctive braiding.
Cultural Activities
The event goes beyond shopping, offering a cultural experience with live performances and regional cuisines. Chhau dancers from West Bengal, led by Bhawani Kalindi, are performing during the fair, while food stalls serve traditional Rajasthani delicacies.
Positioned as more than just a marketplace, the bazaar fosters a space for cultural exchange where craftspeople interact directly with buyers. It also serves as a precursor to the Samiti’s prominent annual crafts fair at Dilli Haat, scheduled for January 2026.
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