Crafts villages of India

India is a land of art and crafts since ancient times. All kinds of major handicrafts are made such as, jewelry, textile, metal handicrafts, wooden handicrafts etc.

Crafts Village is a modern day concept to express the art and crafts of India. It secures the presence of crafts and craftsmen at one place. Handicrafts are displayed here live in front of everyone. Crafts items are exhibited as well sold here. The stalls of a craft village are made in the form of huts to reflect the atmosphere of a village. Even the food outlets, dishes, utensils used there also carry the rural design and style.

There are several crafts villages in India. Most noteworthy amongst them are

• Shilpgram
• Dilli Haat
• Silparamam &
• Surajkund

Shilpgram, Udaipur
Nestled in the lap of rugged Aravalli's, the fascinating Shilpgram that literally means 'craftsmen's village' is located near the Havala village, at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the main Udaipur city.

Several huts are installed within the Shilpgram Crafts Village, Udaipur that gives an enchanting looks of the exotic crafts of Rajasthan. One can find a wide range of handicraft products like pottery, terracotta work, idols of gods and goddesses, traditional musical instruments, woodwork and even furniture at Shilpgram

A vital attraction of Shilpgram Crafts Village in Udaipur is an open air Amphitheatre which can accommodate almost 8000 spectators. Traditional folk songs, dances and dramas are performed in this Amphitheatre. The intention is to rouse interest about rural and tribal performing arts in tourists and local residents as well.

Shilpgram also runs an activity named Shilpdarshan in which traditional performing artists and craftsmen are regularly invited to exhibit their expertise, and sell their masterpieces in order to interact with the buyers directly. This program has become successful in encouraging the rural craftsmen and performers in a big way. The Shilpgram has become an important landmark and Government of India has decided to run the same in other States of India.

One of the important objectives of Shilpgram is in the sphere of increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, specifically, for the younger generation who should bear the flag to make awareness of Indian handicrafts worldwide. Special emphasis is laid on workshops for children on arts, crafts, theatre and music because they will be the torch bearer of Indian handicrafts.

Dilli Haat, Delhi
The Dilli Haat Food and Craft Bazaar is a joint project of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Dilli Haat is built on six acres of land, located in one of the most important commercial centers of South Delhi on Sri Aurobindo Marg facing the INA market. The concept of Dilli Haat is taken from the traditional village fairs from various parts of India.

The whole project of Dilli Haat was conceived with a view to provide an impetus to the village artisans and craftsmen who often remain under the confines of the villages wherever they stay. Here in Dilli Haat an encouragement is provided to those unknown artists and craftsmen to come up with their articles. They come face to face with the buyers not only from India but also from other parts of the world.

Dilli Haat is a melting pot of Traditions. To keep the arts alive to help the crafts thrive and to make the waning cultures active, and in a drive to bring age old skills and centuries old traditions close to today's urban world, Dilli Haat was set up to promote thousands of performing artistes and a breath of fresh air to lakhs of art and craft lovers. With craftsmen who chisel beauty on wood, carve wonders on stone, design beauty in mental, potters who spin marvel on the wheel and weavers who knit magic in fabric are welcomed here.

There are around 62 stalls here in Dilli Haat that exclusively sell handicrafts of varied kinds from all over the country. One can enjoy the art and craft, food and other cultural activities too. Dilli Haat is also a famous place for various food festivals.

Dilli Haat is not just a market place; it has been visualized as a showpiece of food plazas. It also offers a rich and diverse touch of Indian culture in the form of Food plazas where more than hundred varieties of cuisines from different parts of the country are available under one roof. As we know, Indian cuisine is very diverse and is a result of India's diverse population. Dilli Haat is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and ethnic cuisine.

Dilli Haat is so colorful and rich in experience, that many a tourist has returned to visit it again and again. The prices are relatively low compared to emporium , and some of the stuff can be amazing. Shops at Dilli Haat bustle with the brilliance of mirror encasing embroidery, delicate lace work, folk motifs on terracotta forms, metal and cane-ware, the tinkle of bangles, shimmer of iridescent silks and the jingle of toys and trinkets. The Dilli Haat is more than a celebration of crafts.

Shilparamam, Hyderabad
Shilparamam precisely sumps up a village to showcase arts, a centre stage of cultures. Its an endeavor to preserve our dying arts forms. It is set in Madhapur 14 km off the city, a midst picturesque rock formations that are unique for the region, Shilparamam brings together craftsmen and valuable artists of every ilk. Truly, Silparamam is a home to thousands of visiting artisians,

With vast expanses of lush greenery, cascading waterfalls meandering through mini-valleys blended with folk rhythms and rustic dance forms, Shilparamam looks like a heaven on earth. It seems as it is designed for the noble purpose of bringing alive a heritage of relativity and vanishing crafts styles.

It is a near 50 acre landscape with a mini lake here, green trees, a stretch grass here and ethnic cottages there. Even some of the cottages are used as classrooms to teach everything from art to craft. Also, used for persons to sell their creations to a discerning market.

At the heart of this picturesque village is an amphitheatre that has staged performances ranging from classical music concerts to flute recitals. Very often, Bharata Natyam, Bhangra are also performed. English plays are also performed at the Amphitheatre.

Silparamam presents a synthesis of craft, food and cultural activities. Items range from kantha saris to intricate rose wood and sandalwood carvings. One may also find beautiful footwear made of camel hide and also handloom fabrics and drapery. A touch of opulence is added with the vast treasure house of gems and bead ornaments. Live demonstration by potters and artisans is also given.

Its true to say that Shilparamam is poised to become the heritage capital of South India, where the artistic manifestations of centuries mingle with dynamics of modern day life. Its the place where skills and crafts are reborn every minute. At Shilparamam, arts and crafts are honored with applause they deserve. Indian handicrafts and artisans owe to Silparamam village of Hyderabad.

Surajkund Mela, Faridabad
True to its mission, Surajkund Mela strives in every possible way to see to it that the arts survive. The Surajkund Crafts Mela is an annual event that encourages some of the finest handloom and handicraft traditions of the country. Surajkund Crafts Mela began in 1981 to promote handicraft and handloom industry.

From 1st to 15th February rural India basks in the warmth of admiration at Surajkund mela village that lies some 8 km from South Delhi. The Mela also enjoys the rhythms of folk theatre.

The highlight of Surajkund Mela is that the best handicraft products from all across the states of India are displayed at a single place. One can not only just feel the essence of craft products but also buy them. This colorful mela represents the various shades of Indian art and crafts.

A wide range of crafts collections arrive from all over the country. Inlay work, rose wood carving, sandal wood from Punjab and South India, Chiki wood craft of Kashmir. The phulkari of Punjab, the Banjara and Banni embroidery of Gujarat and Rajasthan are the masterpiece of craft. Some of the fine paintings of Rajasthan, temple paintings of Orissa, madhubani paintings of Bihar are fascinating products at the mela. Various crafts products are displayed in the Mela every year.

The Surajkund Crafts Mela has grown equally famous for the rhythms of folk theatre. The celebration of the simple joys of rural life and reverence of epic traditions all mingle well in the mela. All these colourful events are presented in the open-air-theatre named Natyashala.

This mela is also playing an important role in promoting arts and crafts of India. In this pursuit, the Crafts Village organizes series of workshops, training camps and short term training classes. Training programmes successfully organized by Surajkund Mela Authority include Painting Camps, Short-Term Training programmes in Music.