Dastkari Haat to mark 60 years of Indo-Iran ties
Iran is considered the birthplace of designer earthenware utensils and is home to the unique and creative art of metalwork.
New Delhi: To mark 60 years of Indo-Iran cultural ties, a colourful mélange of handloom, textile and pottery works and other diverse arts and crafts will be on showcase at the 31st Annual Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar at Dilli Haat.
In a bid to revive the old civilisation and creative links between the two countries, nine highly-talented craftspeople, artists and calligraphers from Iran will be coming to India. The outcome of this unique India-Iran collaboration will be displayed on January 14 at Dilli Haat, INA.
Iran is considered the birthplace of designer earthenware utensils and is home to the unique and creative art of metalwork which is used to make a variety of ornaments and decorative objects. It is also the producer of exotic carpets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Tehran in May 2016 and signed a number of strategic, development and cultural agreements.
“The cultural agreement promotes regular exchanges in arts, literature, poetry, language and other forms of cultural activity between Iran and India. And the Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar is laying the stepping stone in that direction,” the organisers said in a statement.
Along with the India-Iran collaboration and products related to it, visitors can also enjoy cultural performances, such as Baul music and Chaau dance from Bengal, along with folk singers and dancers from Rajasthan on weekends.
Around 200 artisans from various parts of India will also showcase the rich and diverse culture of the country through handlooms, pottery, jute, among others.
“The samiti has constantly worked towards expanding opportunities for craftspeople as conservationists of Indian heritage. The samiti’s artisan-members have travelled all over and collaborated with local artisans in other developing nations to create utility-based and market-friendly products,” Dastkari Haat Samiti president Jaya Jaitley said.
Arts and crafts from various parts of India will be showcased at the bazaar from January 1 to January 15 at Dilli Haat.