Forgotten crafts to regional miniature paintings, artisans from across the country showcase their crafts to Delhiites at the Atmanirbhar Bharat Utsav at Bharat Mandapam. The festival kick-started in the capital on January 3 and ends today, celebrating self-reliance by bringing India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse talents, and spirit of innovation together.

From hand-painted and embroidered dupattas to handcrafted juttis and wall art, traditional artisans and craftspeople showcased their crafts. “It was a great experience. The entire setup was such that I felt compelled to shop and I shopped a lot. It is a good platform for small businesses, self-help groups and enterprises – who are showcasing a beautiful range of their products,” said Kshitij, a visitor.

Another visitor Archana Taneja, a fashion stylist, said, “What a lovely experience. I got to see and buy many artistic pieces. Being a fashion professional, I am interested in promoting local arts and I like that there’s a range of handcrafted pieces – in apparel, jewellery, accessories and home decor.”

Here’s what we saw:
An artisan from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur demonstrates how motifs are designed in the wooden inlay work

Delhi-based craftsperson Afroz Jahan demonstrated the making of a miniature sitar magnet. Tabla, guitar, dholak and harmonium miniatures, made of mango wood, were also available at the stall.

Painter and clay artist Ram Kumar Prajapati from Gwalior was seen giving final touches to his clay artwork at the Ministry of MSME’s pavilion.

An award-winning craftwork – tiny handmade boats in a bottle, each being 3mm in size – by paper-cutting artist Sakshi Garg from Bahadurgarh. Sakshi, who practices Sanjhi art, an age-old paper cutting craft, that finds its origin in the temples of Mathura. “Maine is kaam ko seekha hai aur main is kala ko aage badha rahi hun,” she said, while demonstrating Sanjhi art.

With his works, Dr Janardhan Rao Havanje from Udipi revived Kaavi art, that is widely found in temples, churches and mosques in the Konkan region and has not been practised for the last 80 years. It’s made using lime shell and red soil. “Kaavi is a building craft which became extinct about 80 years back when masons started using cement in place of soil. So, now we are reviving the art by etching it on blocks. It is a diverse art, seen in temples, churches and mosques in Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra’s Konkan regions. In my research, I have marked 900+ sites across India which have Kaavi art motifs,” he said.

Micro miniature artist Sudarshan Pareek from Rajasthan showcased his artworks at the Atmanirbhar Bharat Utsav. With people gathering to spot mini elephants within an elephant painting to using a magnifying glass to read the National Anthem written on a rice grain – his artworks left people in awe. “I work every day for 10 hours. If might think my eyes have become weak, no – that’s not true. They have become sharper with time,” he quipped while sharing details about his paintings, adding, “If I try, I can write the National Anthem twice on a single grain of rice.” He also shared that the painting is done using a brush made of squirrel hair – which is now a rare find.

Karnataka’s metal handicraft called Bidri was on display. Earrings, boxes, vases etc with intricate silver inlay work were on sale

A vendor, who had a range of products featuring Rajasthan’s block print fabrics, offered a unique monthly table calendar for 2024.

Shayama from Sirmor in Himachal Pradesh came to Delhi to demonstrate her Pahadi miniature art on wood. “I am happy that people in Delhi are liking our work,” she said.

Artist Mahesh Soni from Churu in Rajasthan was seen making a mural of mud art. “We use chikni mitti for Rajasthani mud painting. Certain hardening materials are mixed with the soil so that motifs and designs can be engraved.”