Come marvel at Shilpgram’s handicrafts

In a country of about 1 billion people, you shouldn’t really be surprised by all the creativity you find around you. Especially when you consider how many different cultures, traditions, and beliefs there are in India. And this very diversity results in beautiful art, mouth-watering food, vibrant and varying clothing etc. Huge crowds of people visit different corners of the country all throughout the year just to experience this diversity and to see what it is that makes India such a wonderful country. Like the Crafts Mela in Shilpgram, Udaipur, which is attended by thousands who wish to witness regional traditions.

The Shilpgram Crafts Mela, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is a cultural event organized every single year in the last weeks of the month of December since winters are considered to be the best time to visit the city. The Mela is a great way to boost the work and art of local artisans, craftsmen, potters etc. since it is principally an exhibition of hand-woven clothes, ornately decorated works of embroidery, clay pots, mirror works and so much more.

Shilpgram itself is a small arts and crafts complex surrounded by the Aravali ranges, quite close to the city of Udaipur, so it should come as no surprise that Mela is organized here. This region is basically a center where you’d go to observe the lives of local craftsmen or tribes and to marvel at all that they make. What you’d see here is an amphitheater where they organize festivals and performances. There are also many traditional huts inside of which you’d find objects of daily use such as terracotta, wooden articles, textiles etc which provide an insight into the lives of these local people.

The main aim of the Crafts Mela organized in Shilpgram is to promote the arts and crafts of the local inhabitants, which is also representative of the general cottage industry of the state of Rajasthan. This Mela is not only an excellent opportunity to check out or buy some of the fascinating works of art but also to actually participate in workshops that teach you how to make them. And not only do you get to observe the artisans, potters, weavers etc at work but also get to see a large of paintings depicting the same. Interesting isn’t it? Looking at works of art portraying the production of these very works of art! Other sources of entertainment, while you walk around the Mela marvelling at the art exhibitions, are music and dance performances.

Through the Crafts Mela, the Government of Rajasthan not only aims at encouraging the region’s arts and handicraft producers but also hopes to promote the cottage industry not just within the country but also outside.