Dec 11, 2010

Dastkari Haat - the festival of arts and crafts.

     The much eagerly awaited Dastkari Haat,  a festival  organized by Dastkari Haat Samiti and the Kalakshetra Foundation  is back in Chennai this year with its promise of ethnic arts  and wide range of handcrafted products. There is also a special event named Akshara (meaning "the word")  , unique exposition of regional calligraphy on crafts, textiles and arts.


The pathway was filled with paper Lanterns 
decorated with dry leaves and seeds..
 
The history of word explained...
    There are around 100s of stalls, all packed with India's rich heritage of handicrafts and handlooms and what you see in each and every stall is really breathtaking - It clearly out beats any other craft festival that is conducted in the city. Guess I will stop with this and let the pictures do all the talking.... !!

 Beautifully -painted terracotta products from Delhi... 
Their colorful piggy banks were fast selling... !!  

I got one of these for myself ;-)

 Terracotta chimes decorated with colorful beads..

 Black Longpi pottery from Manipur..

Pipes - in bull horn shape... 

The Hookah with a human face was an interesting 
feature in the shop...    
 Quilt patchwork in vibrant colors... !!

 Wide range of terracotta tea pots & cups..

Glass bottles with colorfully painted figures ....

Bangles made of palm leaves from KanyaKumari.

Baskets made of palm leaves and other natural products.

Bells with Christmas themes.. !

Colorful paper lanterns... will make great festive decor.. !!

The raja-rani puppets from Rajasthan .

Kites in various shapes with animal figures, 
and geometric patterns on them .

Pottery from Uttar Pradesh... I spend more time and money 
in this shop... !!



    The way the exhibition is organized by Kalakshetra in a well-organized manner, adds to the charm. Along with the art and craft exhibition, there are also various daytime and evening dance performances. The exhibition is open till Dec 13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kalakshetra Foundation, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

A beautifully set stage for the performances...



Performers singing a  rajasthani folk song..., 
which I enjoyed though I never understood a word... ;-)

     Special thanks to Divya of Sound Horn Please for letting me know about the wonderful Dastkari Haat. Divya - This post is dedicated to you & your lovely blog..;-) ;-)  !!

9 comments:

  1. Lovely! thanks for sharing Emreen!

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  2. Beautiful items!! what a lovely treat!! I love the terracotta lamps. very pretty!!!

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  3. Wow! Emreen- I am flattered and Thank you so much :) :) I am also deeply envious of you! I wish I was in your shoes! I am sending you an email as I have so much to tell you and also ask you about everything that you've featured.

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  4. @GB , @Purnima : Thanks a lot for the lovely comments..

    @Divya : THanks once again for letting me know.... ;-) ;-)

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  5. Wow.. beautiful hand crafted items. Is the exhibition still on? Please let me know the venue. Would love to see it in person.

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  6. @Iniyaal - Thanks a lot..No, its over... he event takes place every year in chennai during Dec or Jan.. ( Guess across the country too... ) The exhibition was open till Dec 13 at Kalakshetra Foundation, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. T

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  7. Talent thrives in every corner of India!

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  8. lovely pics...:)i really really loved the Christmas bells...something unique...!!

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  9. Is the exhibition coming again..???

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