Textiles, crafts of India on show during Commonwealth Games

A confluence of 'bazaars' displaying the best of textiles and artistic wares from across the country will provide a glimpse of India's traditional art and culture to visitors during the Commonwealth Games.

Although Ministry of Textiles through the Development Commissioners (DC) Handicraft and Handlooms regularly sets up such fairs throughout India, for the upcoming Games artisans and weavers are set to converge at the 'golden triangle' of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, according to official sources.

Kanjeevaram silk from Tamil Nadu, Patachitra from Orissa, Chikankari from Lucknow and Mojiris from Rajasthan are a sample of textiles that would be exhibited at the outlets.

During the first two weeks in October, a total of 150 national awardees along with masters specialising in crafting handmade goods and weaving cloth would come together at a special master creation programme in the capital.

The bazaars, typical of centuries-old markets in India are expected to be set up along the 'Golden Triangle' route in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur especially to attract visitors from countries participating at the Games.

"Special Master creation programme held every year during December will be now take place in October. Gandhi Shilp Bazaars will also be set up each in Jaipur and Agra keeping in mind the tourists visiting  along with Delhi," Alka Arora, Additional Development Commissioner (Handicraft) said.

The Textiles Ministry organises annually the Special Master Creation Programme with an investment of Rs 17-20 lakhs at the Dilli Haat under administration of the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation.

Also the Ministry in collaboration with different handicraft corporations and NGOs regularly sets up "Gandhi Shilp Bazaars" across various cities in the country.

Both the Shilp Bazaars and the master creation programme would be held jointly during the Games with 100 of the 150 stalls reserved for the award winning craftsmen and the remaining to be shared by award winning weavers.

"The special Master Creation programme is something people in and around Delhi wait eagerly for as one gets the best of the products from the best of the artisans and weavers," says a senior official from DC Handloom.

"We have already posted letters to the National awardees to exhibit their wares during October 1-15th in Dilli Haat," says a senior official.

Lajwanti (55) from Punjab a national award winner who specialises in Phulkari embroidery is quite upbeat about exhibiting during the Games.

"I have been invited to exhibit in Delhi from October 1 and am expecting a lot of visitors," says Lajwanti. "If we sell good stuff then obviously our country will get a good name," she adds.

Besides DilliHaat in Delhi, artisans in clusters from particular locations specialising in specific products would set up stalls at the Rajiv Gandhi Handicraft Bhawan here and the different state emporiums in the heart of Delhi.

"The open space outside the state emporiums will also be used for exhibits from their respective states," says a senior Textile Ministry official

"State emporiums have a beautiful collection of handlooms and they have been asked to keep enough stocks during the Games," the official adds.

Cotton, silk, wool, linen, yarn products, various apparels, daily wear and accessories in wood, metal, bamboo glass, stone and other tribal materials are a range of the materials expected to be showcased at the stalls.

"The whole feel of an Indian bazaar would be recreated with bandwalahas and puppeteers and mehendi wallahs who are everywhere in an typical fair being brought in to pep up the atmosphere," says the official.

"Cultural programmes are also being planned with Delhi administration at various venues," he adds.