Dastkar Hyderabad Bazaar Opens with a Strong Message on Preserving India’s Craft Heritage
Shri Ranjan also underscored the need for deeper public engagement with craft communities.
The much-awaited Dastkar Hyderabad Bazaar opened today with an inspiring address by Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. Organised at Kamma Sangham Hall, Ameerpet, the bazaar brings together over 75 artisan groups from across India, showcasing a vibrant range of handloom textiles, pottery, leather footwear, jewellery, regional folk crafts, natural fibres, and more.
In his inaugural speech, Shri Jayesh Ranjan highlighted Dastkar’s remarkable journey since 1981. He praised the organisation for consistently providing artisans with meaningful platforms to showcase skills and traditions that might otherwise fade away. “Crafts are not just products they are stories, histories, and livelihoods,” he said, emphasising how Dastkar has played a vital role in sustaining these living traditions for more than four decades.
Shri Ranjan also underscored the need for deeper public engagement with craft communities. He noted that simply photographing monuments or admiring culture from a distance does little to support it. “Real cultural promotion happens when we uplift the people who create the artisans who keep our traditions alive,” he remarked. Initiatives like the Dastkar Bazaar, he added, help artisans gain visibility, recognition, and access to wider markets.
He further urged for stronger support for regional artisans and encouraged opportunities for skill development and market linkage. While the craft groups possess exceptional talent, many still face challenges reaching consumers beyond their local regions. Platforms such as this bazaar help bridge that gap and empower artisans directly.
Shri Ranjan concluded by commending Dastkar’s continued commitment to India’s craft ecosystem, calling their work “a cornerstone in preserving the country’s artistic and cultural heritage.”
The Dastkar Hyderabad Bazaar will run from 26th November to 2nd December 2025, from 11 AM to 8 PM, with free entry and paid parking. Visitors are invited to explore, shop, and support authentic, handcrafted Indian products while celebrating the creativity and resilience of artisan communities.