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Craft Bazaar Powered by Hastakala Setu

The Hastkala Setu Yojana project in Gujarat is an initiative of the Commissionerate of Cottage and Rural Industry, Government of Gujarat, with the aim of creating a favorable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state for traditional arts and crafts. The project covers 33 districts in Gujarat and has trained 14,479 artisans through 529 capacity building programs.

The project acts as a bridge between the artisans and budding entrepreneurs by creating incubating facilities to link them to potential markets such as the Crafts bazaar. These linkages have resulted in the generation of sales of ₹.22.10 crore by the artisans.

The main goal of the project is to design and implement an integrated model that enables rural entrepreneurs to have access to entrepreneurial opportunities for their livelihood generation and sustainable development. By supporting traditional arts and crafts, the project aims to create successful grassroots entrepreneurs and preserve traditional skills and knowledge.

Crafts that will feature at the Bazaar @ AnantU

Bandhej – Also known as Bandhani, is a tie and dye craft practiced in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It involves twisting, tying and dyeing fabrics to create beautiful patterns in colors like yellow, red, blue, green and black. The patterns are used to create sarees, shirts, kurtis, lehengas, salwars, dhotis and other Indian garments, with cottons, pure silks and georgette and chiffon being used.

Mata ni Pachedi – Kalamkari is an ancient hand-painting technique using natural dyes and a tamarind pen. The name derives from “kalam” meaning pen and “kari” meaning craftsmanship. Designs are drawn and filled in by hand, using vibrant earthy colors like mustard and indigo. In Gujarat, it’s known as Mata Ni Pachedi, with the central theme of Mataji.

Block Printing – It is an ancient method of printmaking where intricate patterns are hand-printed onto textiles using wooden blocks. The carved blocks are a work of art and create a raised texture on the fabric. Gujarat is famous for various block printing techniques such as Ajrakh, Saudagiri, Khadi, and Batik.

Bead Work – Gujarat is known for its bead craft, where local craftsmen make intricate decorative items and jewelry by weaving together multi-colored beads. This technique, called bead weaving, involves using seed beads to create both two-dimensional designs and three-dimensional objects. Bead weaving is a thriving tradition in India, practiced by both men and women.

Leather Craft Work – The Meghwals of Rajasthan brought the leather craft to Gujarat’s Kutch district. They transformed raw hides into useful products. Over time, the craft has evolved to meet modern demands while retaining its durability and longevity. The tanning, coloring, and processing of leather result in unique and long-lasting items.

Bamboo Craft Work – Bamboo craft is an ancient and durable craft, popular for its versatility and availability. The Kotwalia community in Narmada district of Gujarat are traditional producers of bamboo crafts. It is an affordable material used to create everyday items like stools, mats, baskets, as well as decorative pieces. Recently, it has also become popular for making fashionable items like ashtrays, flower vases, and picture frames.

Agates – Agates are colorful stones mined in Khambat, Gujarat, which is one of the world’s largest stone bead working centers. The sturdy crystal is broken, heated, chiseled, bleached, and polished to create beautiful beads. Agates come in various colors like yellow, moss, rose, black, white, and grey hues, with the blood-colored stone being the most popular. They are used for jewelry and decoration purposes.

Hand Embroidery – Kutch Embroidery is a traditional craft of Gujarat, practiced by the tribal community of Kutch District. It involves stitching mirrors or glass pieces onto cotton fabrics using silk or cotton threads. The designs are inspired by daily life, animals, birds, flora, and religious places. Each community has a unique style that has evolved over time.