Handlooms, Recycled Stuff & Live Crafts: This First-Time Artisan Mela Is At A Mall!

There’s a full-fledged fair trade mela happening in Delhi and it promises 80 stalls selling everything artisan made. The result of collaborative efforts of the Fair Trade Forum – India and World Fair Trade Organisation {WFTO}, the Fair Utsav is a big part of sensitisting buyers to fair trade practices.

Starting from Nov 8-13, this exhibition will have artisans participating from all across the country coming to DLF Place, Saket. Drop by if you want to have a piece of sustainable fashion, food that benefits the farmers or cool recycled stuff for your home.

Everyone who believes in supporting traditional crafts or has a soft corner for handmade products. There’ll be packaged food, clothes, accessories, textiles, upcycled knick knacks and cherished handicrafts from all over the country and we’d really think people who like to shop consciously will love the variety and effort to get all the fair trade goods at one place. 

Note to self: Must tell mother and artsy friends about this.

It’s happening for the first time in Delhi and we ought to show some love for the cause. Our heart weeps a little at what’s become of our beloved Dilli Haat with the genuine artisans having been pushed out by merchants with money and muscle. This fair trade carnival then becomes a way to give back the financial support to those who really deserve it. Undoubtedly, there’s a great sense of comfort associated with buying something that’s not coming at the cost of an aggrieved farmer or an undervalued artisan. 

We’re told that the participants will be a mix of high street designers, craftsmen who are at the risk of being pushed out by power looms and organisations and NGOs that have tied up with artisans to revive age-old weaving/dyeing/design practices. Now this really sounds like a great assortment to pick from. There’s a section dedicated to promoting regional weaves and crafts from the Northeast and another one that’ll showcase vendors supported by the Ministry of Textile.

They’ll also have live crafts counters every day. So, you might see an artisan creating block-printed beauties on one day and another weaving something on the spot just so you can interact with them and see what goes into making that beautiful scarf.

P.S. You’ll find all the indigo, bandhini, traditional silks, tie and dye and ajrakh ever. And perhaps those granny made pickles and handmade soaps, maybe?

The organisers are aiming to create a platform where people don’t just buy mindlessly. The idea is to show you the beauty in artisan-made stuff and compel you to make wiser choices.

Oh, and there’s a food court of sorts selling food cooked with ingredients sourced by fair trade organisations. 

Find more info here.

When: Nov 8-13

Where: DLF Place, Saket

Timings: 10am-10pm