The inauguration of the 1st ever Antaran Artisan Exhibit was held on 14th March, 2024 at the Satyanth Bora Hall, Dighulipukhuri. This 3-day event from 14th to 16th March 2024 is being hosted by Antaran Transforming Crafts as a marketing outreach to promote Artisan Entrepreneurs trained under the programme.
The opening function commenced with the lighting of the lamp by Sh. Sanjay Singh, ED, CML Guwahati and Artisan Entrepreneurs Nirmali Kalita, Dipika Kakati, Lila Kalita of Kamrup, Mira Nath and Kabita Nath of Nalbari, Pramod Kumar Sur of Gopalpur and Mhashengolu Lohe of Nagaland, followed by a walkthrough of the exhibit.
Antaran is a key intervention of the Tata Trusts’ craft-based livelihood programme, initiated to bring seminal changes in the development of the Crafts sector. It is a comprehensive programme with the aim to rejuvenate ailing handloom clusters by strengthening craft ecosystems, building core strength of handloom textiles such as natural fibres, hand-spun yarn and natural dyes while reviving and reinterpreting the traditional weave designs in these selected clusters for wider markets.
Antaran-led community initiative across four states and six clusters are in Assam (Kamrup and Nalbari), Nagaland (Dimapur), Odisha (Gopalpur and Maniabandha) and Andhra Pradesh (Venkatgiri).
Focusing on lesser-known clusters, the exhibit showcases a stunning array of Cotton, Eri Silk, Mulberry and Tussar sarees, home décor, Cotton and Silk stoles and dupattas, and yardages, meticulously crafted by artisans from Kamrup, Nalbari, Nagaland and Gopalpur (Odisha). Promoting direct interactions with artisans, the exhibition aims to amplify Artisan stories, their craft and culture to bring about awareness of handlooms and handloom products.
