The Dastkari Haat Samiti, under the leadership of its President Jaya Jaitly, will host the 40th Annual Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, from January 1 to 15, 2026. The annual event, a highlight of Delhi’s winter cultural calendar, brings together artisans from across India to showcase the country’s vast craft traditions and handmade heritage.
The bazaar will feature over 130 stalls presenting crafts, textiles, and art forms from various regions of the country. Visitors can explore Ikat, Banarasi weaving, hand-block prints, Chanderi, Bandhani, Kalamkari, basketry, pottery, jewellery, durries, Madhubani, miniature painting, and Gond art, among others. The event aims to support craft communities by providing them a platform to reach urban audiences while promoting appreciation for India’s traditional artistry.
A special focus this year is “The Art of the Indian Quilt,” a demonstrative workshop to be held from January 3 to 13, 2026. The workshop will present traditional quilt-making techniques from states including Rajasthan, Delhi, and Maharashtra, highlighting how these textiles embody both cultural expression and sustainability through the reuse of fabric remnants. Participants will have the opportunity to observe the processes of cutting, layout, stitching, and embroidery, as well as purchase quilts made by skilled craftswomen.
New participants in this edition include Mother Quilts (Maharashtra), which creates upcycled saree quilts emphasizing women’s empowerment and climate action; Threads of Revival (Karnataka), which preserves the “Kawadi” storytelling quilt tradition; and Tant Mudran, a collaborative “Crafts Partners Series” between master weavers and printers. Other featured artisans include Arshad Kafeel (Uttar Pradesh) with intricate wood blocks, Khetaram (Rajasthan) with woolen weaving, Ashish Singh (Assam) specializing in bamboo crafts, and Santosh Vijay More (Kolhapur) presenting traditional Kolhapuri chappals.
Alongside the crafts, visitors can enjoy performances that reflect the country’s vibrant folk culture. Chhau dance troupes from West Bengal will perform from January 1 to 8, followed by Rajasthani folk music and dance ensembles from January 9 to 15. Regional cuisines from across India will also be available, enhancing the fair’s festive atmosphere.
The Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar continues its mission to preserve and promote India’s rich artisanal heritage while enabling livelihoods for rural and urban craftspeople through cultural exchange and creative entrepreneurship.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
