Four-day festival connects artisans from border Rajasthan and rural Uttar Pradesh directly with urban buyers, delivering record sales, stronger visibility, and sustainable livelihood opportunities without intermediaries.

New Delhi | January 10, 2026

The Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD) successfully concluded its 12th Annual Craft Festival in New Delhi, recording sales exceeding ₹50 lakh and reaffirming the power of direct market access for traditional artisans.

Organised over four days at Alliance Française, Lodhi Estate, the festival brought together skilled craftspeople from Rajasthan’s border districts and rural eastern Uttar Pradesh, enabling them to engage directly with urban consumers. The absence of middlemen allowed artisans to retain the full value of their sales, making this edition the most impactful to date in both economic and outreach terms.

Craft traditions from Barmer district in western Rajasthan—situated close to the India–Pakistan border—featured prominently. Artisans displayed intricate embroidery, appliqué work, leather crafts, dhurrie weaving, and Ajrak printing. From Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, visitors experienced the fine handloom weaving of Mubarakpur and the celebrated black pottery of Nizamabad, offering rare exposure to crafts rooted in geographically and economically marginalised regions.

Commenting on the festival’s success, Maureen Liebl, Co-Project Director and Trustee of ITRHD, said the overwhelming response reaffirmed the organisation’s long-standing approach. She noted that crossing the ₹50 lakh sales milestone reflected not only strong commercial performance but also a growing appreciation for authentic, handcrafted traditions nurtured through years of engagement with artisan communities.

Projects Director Madhu Khatri emphasised the lasting benefits of the initiative, stating that the most significant outcome was artisans receiving the complete proceeds from their work. She added that beyond immediate income, the festival helps build long-term relationships between artisans and buyers, which is crucial for sustaining traditional crafts.

A major attraction was Nizamabad’s black pottery, a craft that has seen renewed global recognition in recent years. The art form gained international visibility after Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented it to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the G7 Summit in Germany in 2022. Several pieces on display were created by members of the original artisan family involved in reviving the craft.

The festival also highlighted the cultural heritage of Hariharpur village in Azamgarh, known for its classical music tradition linked to the Banaras gharana. A special classical music performance during the event added a cultural dimension beyond the craft exhibitions.

ITRHD shared that it has been working closely with Barmer artisans for over six years, gradually expanding participation and support. Alongside exhibitions, the Trust assists artisans through design development, product diversification, and access to wider platforms, while bearing participation costs to ensure artisans benefit fully.

With twelve successful editions completed, the Annual Craft Festival has become an integral part of New Delhi’s cultural landscape. ITRHD also organises a similar annual craft event at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, strengthening its ongoing engagement with Rajasthan’s artisan communities.

This year’s strong attendance, record sales, and positive public response highlight the importance of culturally rooted, market-linked platforms in preserving India’s living craft traditions while ensuring dignified and sustainable livelihoods for artisans.