Sunday 14 November 2010

Visit to Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Janpath, 28 October

I visited the 18th Dastkar Nature Bazaar showcasing vibrant authentic crafts from across India.
There were cultural performances, varied craft stalls, workshops by master craftsmen, workshop on photography and children’s section with kid’s products, workshop, games, various food items etc. Evening performances featured fusion- music, dance, sufiana singing, etc.


Related Article -

Nature beckons with an array of products

GAUTAM CHINTAMANI, BUZZ BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 11, 2009


One of the traits of being a true Delhiite is not being able to get enough of shopping. The sheer volume of visitors who thronged the 100 plus stalls at Dastakar Haat Samiti’s annual Nature Bazaar is testimony of the popularity of the yearly fest.


If Dilli Haat be the one-stop-shoppe of the very best in Indian handicrafts, then think of your visit to the Nature Bazaar as the annual pilgrimage!

This shopper’s paradise has numerous surprises stored for you at every turn. One of the most innovative stalls would be the Haathi Chaap outlet (stall 105). Can you imagine kitschy stationery and curios made out of elephant dung!

Neither could we but one look at the assortment of products at the Haathi Chaap stall and you’d know that nature operates in strange ways. Started a few years ago by some enterprising people, Haathi Chaap uses treated elephant dung to make some wonderful stationery and this isn’t to be missed at any cost.

The Designer’s Corner is dedicated to products that have blended the traditional Indian crafts into more modern and utilitarian applications. Organic Connect is a joint effort by three enterprising women who have combined tradition with modernity to come up with some really exciting products.

While Aditi Prakash (Pure Ghee Designs) uses traditional Indian textiles for her limited edition hand-crafted bags that are selling like hot cakes, Tanveen Ratti literally craves a very modern future out of the time-honoured printing blocks and Hina Qazi’s stoles and scarves are a throwback on classic Indian designs while sporting a very fashionable look.

Yet another stall that stands out is ‘Then And Now’; Uma Tiwari’s high-concept functional products like candle stands, lamps and bookracks get enhanced by the application of traditional Indian art forms like Gond, Madhubani and Mathura Paper. Besides Neelum Saigal’s Bric-a-brac has very eye-catching products.

The good thing about such a medley of craft forms is that there is some thing for just about everyone. Apart from the absolute numbers the goodies that these stalls showcase range from a few hundreds to some thousands.

A few that should not be missed are leather curios including really good looking piggybanks (stall no. 59), jute carpets and mats (stall no. 62) natural soaps with more than 20 variations including cucumber (stall no. 118).

When the simple wish to pick up just about everything is so palpable, the invitation pricing is a very, very welcome thought.

The vast undulating landscape of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts is dotted with so much of stuff that you’d need at least four solid hours to do justice. Wait, did we mention the bevy of the food stalls feature goodies from the length and breadth of the nation to help you tank up?

In addition to the countless stalls there are workshops, organic products and many ongoing folk performances to enthrall the visitors. There is a special event on each single day of the festival that includes ‘Dastangoi’, the lost art of storytelling in Urdu, classical and contemporary dance compositions as well as Hindustani music.

The Nature Bazaar is on till the 14th of November, 2009 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Janpath.

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