The annual event, Crafts Bazaar, organized by the Indian Crafts Council, originates from its former home, the Co-Optex grounds in Egmore, and returns to a new venue this year. A one-stop destination for handmade textiles, jewellery, home décor and indigenous arts and crafts, the fair held at the Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Nungambakkam, brings together over 60 artisans and weavers from across the country. Whether visitors want to shop or explore India’s rich textile traditions and art forms, the market provides an ideal platform.
Sanji art Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
CCI President Vishalakshi Ramaswamy says the fair is returning after a gap of two years due to lack of a suitable venue. “Our aim is to popularize traditional arts, crafts and textiles and create a direct market for them without middlemen,” she says. “This year, many National Award winning artists and weavers will be showcasing their latest creations. The native arts of our country will fascinate the visitors, along with the richness of our textile heritage.”
Banaras weaving Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the market, buyers can experience displays of creations made of clay, clay, stone, wood, leather, cotton, jute and paper. Art lovers will get the opportunity to meet and interact with many of the artists present at the venue. National Award winning artists Kalyan Prasad Joshi and Anuj Joshi will present Phad paintings of Rajasthan, while craft gurus will talk about their Pichhwai paintings. Fifth generation artist Akshay Kumar Bariki will showcase Patachitra painting from Odisha, and Venkat Raman Singh Shyam will present his Gond art works from Madhya Pradesh.
Water Reed Products from Manipur | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The craft market highlights crafts that celebrate folk, classical, festive and nature-based traditions. Water reed products and black earthen pots (Longpi pottery) handmade by Pamshangphi Ngasainao of Manipur will be displayed. Gobindo Halder will present the Sholapith craft, an eco-friendly art from West Bengal made from the spongy core of the shola plant, while Mohan Verma will showcase the traditional Sanji art from Uttar Pradesh.
Textile lovers will be spoiled for choice as many National Award winning weavers will be launching their latest creations. These include Bhujodi weaves from Kutch by Vankar Poonam Arjun, Maheshwari weaves by Anas Ansari, Bandini creations by Abdul Bashir Katri, Ajrakh textiles from Gujarat by Mushtaq Khatri, Bhagalpur tussars from Bihar by Sushant Ranjan, Banarasi sarees from Uttar Pradesh by Sumaiya Textiles.
Tribal beaded jewellery, brass Dhokra crafts, Patwa jewelery from Rajasthan, recycled materials, glass bangles and crochet will also be available at the stalls. Apart from this, blue pottery from Rajasthan, ceramic pottery from UP, grass mats from Pattamdai and Veeravanallur from Tamil Nadu, Suf embroidery of Hemant Dohat and Khurja pottery from Gujarat will be displayed.
For home decor enthusiasts, the market will offer soft furnishings, metal, ceramic and wooden wall hangings with nature-inspired motifs. The craft market celebrates the creativity of artisans from all parts of the country, including Shilpa Guru, State Award winners and many other prestigious honours.
Crafts Council of India (CCI) is a volunteer-run, non-profit NGO working for the sustainable growth and development of the crafts of India and its craft artisans.
Shola Pith Crafts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
@Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Nungambakkam. 13 to 17 February, 10.30 am to 7 pm. Entry is free. For details, call 98405 41456.
published – February 05, 2026 01:22 PM IST