For three days of a long weekend, Project Tarasha&rsquos, the Tarasha Artisan Direct - Mumbai edition, named A Constellation of Art, Craft and Design, will showcase handicrafts from across India. The project, which came about as a result of reflections on the state of the artisans, especially during the pandemic, is a social initiative spearheaded by Titan Company Limited. It has been making continuous attempts at rejuvenating the craft ecosystem. No commissions or participation fees have been levied on the participating craftspeople.
A Cool Collection
At The Vintage Garden in Bandra, you will experience a one-of-a-kind artisanal show featuring 20 talented artisan-entrepreneurs from every corner of the country. The display has been curated by Aradhana Nagpal, a Mumbai-based craft curator and enthusiast armed with two decades of experience in the craft and retail space.
Be ready to get your hands on some delicate and intricate embroidery of aari, sozni, and tilla of Kashmir, and lambani and kasuti of Karnataka. Plus, there will be copper bell craft and ajrakh from Kutch, woven mats of West Bengal, wood carving from Uttar Pradesh and, the Punja dhurries and kavads from Rajasthan. Included in the treasure trove at Tarasha Artisan Direct will be handicrafts made from banana fibre, bulrush reed, and recycled paper products, all coming to you from Karnataka. The handicrafts will also be presented in their new avatars for example, the vibrant Punja dhurrie has been made into upholstery, while kasuti embroidery, mostly seen on saris, will be seen on cushion covers, and the wood carving of Uttar Pradesh will be in the form of a lamp, etc.
A Helping Hand
The first phase of Project Tarasha aimed at making artisans digitally literate, thereby uplifting the artisan community, which suffered more during the pandemic than any other sector of the economy. Throughout the pandemic, Project Tarasha has worked tirelessly with artisans across India towards digital literacy. From on-ground photography workshops to customised training programs for website creation and development. In the second phase, the holistic development of the craftspeople was the focus, including design mentoring, extensive market access and product enhancement through training. For this, Project Tarasha has partnered with Creative Dignity, a nationwide volunteer-led network of diverse stakeholders that came together during the pandemic to support the Indian craft sector.
The collaboration with the artisans was initiated through the three-month Design Mentorship of Project Tarasha. This was done keeping in mind the fact that the point of view of consumers of handicrafts is skewed towards designers, while the artisans are reduced to mere manufacturers/suppliers. Therefore, each pair of artisan-designer has co-created products, which may have endless possibilities for both.
Indulge And Participate
When you have finished shopping, you can take part in workshops conducted by the artisans, through which you can immerse yourself in craft processes. The craftspeople have been facilitated by Me Meraki, which aims to create sustainable livelihoods for traditional artisans by using technology as a differentiator. Additionally, there will be cultural performances by folk artists and craft films to help you get an insight into our cultural heritage.
The Information
When 20th to 22nd January.
Where The Vintage Garden, Turner Road/Gurunanak Road, Bandra west, Mumbai.
For more information, check the website.