#CoronaImpact: Crowds trickle in as this crafts bazaar returns after six months in Delhi

Dastkar, an NGO, organises the Nature Bazaar - showcasing India's diverse craft heritage - in Delhi’s Andheria Mod every few months. However, the pandemic brought the cultural event in the city to a halt. “Organising Nature 2020 after six months was a dire need to support the craftspeople who have been out of work for months now,” says Tanushree from Dastkar’s project team.
The 10-day crafts fair started on September 18 and safety measures are being strictly followed at the Nature Bazaar venue.Setting up sanitisation facilities and a number of payment counters, conducting thermal checks - these are some of the steps taken by the organiser to ensure the safety of staff, vendors and the customers. To help and encourage the vendors and artisans, no rent is being charged. “We are giving them a stipend that helps the vendors cover travel, food and stay costs during these tough times,” adds Tanushree.

While some of the craftspeople travelled to Delhi from distant places, the ones who couldn’t, have sent their crafts to Dastkar.
Manned by volunteers, the presence of handcrafted artifacts and missing craftspeople also narrate the story of the pandemic, which prevented many from marking their presence at the event. A jutti maker from Hisar, Hari Krishna Dhaliya, who has been making these footwear for 42 years now, says, “This is my first event in six months and it is my hope that brings me here.” While he wishes to have a good sale by the end of the event, Zaahida Amin, from Sopore, Baramulla came to Delhi two months ago to prepare for the event. “Along with 50 women, in my organisation Naie Kiran, we practice ari and sujani embroidery. People are coming and appreciating the work, but it seems like they are in no mood of buying,” she says.

The organisers tell us that while the opening day saw around 80 people visiting the bazaar, the footfall doubled on Day 2. An architect couple, Renu and Kaushik Dutta, who are regular attendees of the Nature Bazaar, say, “We are very fond of local art and we are here to do our bit in encouraging the art, especially during this crisis.” Another customer, Anjali, who has been coming here since her childhood, says, “I am here to support the craftspeople, it has not been easy for them,” she says.

Satisfied with the precautions and assistance lent by the organisers, a jewellery maker, Aruna, travelled from Telangana to be a part of the event. Being a member for 10 years now, she says, while her hands are busy winding the thread around the beads, “Business is not as usual, I have just made Rs 150 since morning but there has been a gradual increase in the number of customers, so sales might just pick up in a day or two.”
Apart from the stalls, two demonstrations are a part of the event. Vijay Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, a moonj basket maker, showcased basket weaving over this weekend and in store for the next weekend is a demonstration by a group of women peedhi makers from Punjab.
- Shivika.Manchanda@timesgroup.com