Young artisans reclaim inherited craft legacy

New Delhi: At a time when traditional crafts are often said to be fading as younger generations move towards corporate careers, Karigar Bazaar at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium tells a different story — one of teenagers and young artisans reclaiming inherited legacies with pride.Being organised in Delhi for the first time from Friday till March 1, the 10-day bazaar has brought together over 200 artisans from across the country, including National Award winners and emerging entrepreneurs. From handlooms and tribal art to jewellery and sustainable crafts, the event also features live demonstrations and cultural performances.
At one of the stalls stood 26-year-old Sumnath from Andhra Pradesh, a fourth-generation artisan who left his BTech course midway to carry forward his family's tradition of wood engraving. Surrounded by intricately carved wooden panels of Indian deities, he explained how each piece, carved from a single block of neem wood, can take years to perfect. Some of the works on display, he said, had been crafted over a decade ago and carefully preserved. "I learnt the craft at home, watching and assisting my father and grandfather," he said.For Sumnath, the decision to quit engineering was driven purely by passion and a desire to take forward his family's legacy. But sustaining that choice is not easy. "Employability is a challenge. Finding a market is the biggest struggle. When we sell our products to showrooms, we are paid for the wood and labour and not the skill," he said. Exhibitions like Karigar Bazaar, he added, allow artisans to sell directly to buyers, cutting out middlemen and earning recognition for their craftsmanship.Across the venue, several such young artisans — some fresh graduates, others juggling school or college with family traditions — showcased weaving, metalwork, tribal paintings and hand embroidery, quietly challenging the notion that traditional art is dying.Participants to the bazaar, which was inaugurated by Aparna Bhatia, advisor, department of economic affairs, ministry of finance, have travelled from across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, turning the stadium complex into a miniature map of India's craft diversity.At another stall, Vinod Bhatt from Rajasthan sat with his two sons — one in college and the other in school — displaying colourful Rajasthani puppets and handcrafted home decor items. "I grew up watching my father perform puppet shows. Now, my sons have learnt it. It is our local tradition," Bhatt said. His elder son is pursuing an LLB, but both children, he added, are keen to continue the family craft alongside their studies.The bazaar is not limited to handicrafts. At a stall, a group of Afghan teenagers displayed neatly arranged dehydrated fruits and nuts. "This is macadamia nut," said 19-year-old Mazhar, cracking open a shell and offering a taste. "We are a group of friends from Afghanistan. We have come here to sell nuts from our country. We have started the business along with our studies."Nearby, two brothers from Kerala were seen selling quirky wooden decor items. They explained how they have modernised traditional woodcraft designs to appeal to urban buyers.Visitors to the bazaar need to buy a ticket for Rs 50 and enter through gate no. 13.