Hand to Mouth

this special.”

The exhibition,which begins today at the Coomaraswamy Hall,Prince of Wales Museum,will go on till October 14 and will have as many as 35 craftsmen from around the country participating in here. It’s in its 23rd year,but a lot has changed,feels Jaitly,associated with the committee for the last 45 years. “At one point we thought we were finished with lots of moneyed people opting for brands rather than the true heritage of the country. But over the years I have realised that whenever you have something different to offer people will always come and buy it. The contemporary but ethnic products that the artisans design also make for brilliant gifting options and they are ecological friendly.”

Jaitly is well known as an activist; in the last few years she’s dedicated all her time to the artisans of the country. She tours the nation in search of talent and looks for unique things. With a global perspective in mind,she also provides knowledge to artisans on the current trends in the market and asks them to work accordingly. “I make sure these artisans have work throughout the year and not just during exhibitions. With many of them now providing to stores in the cities and also wholesale markets,it gives me immense pleasure that they are independent financially.”

Much credit goes to Jaitly for the opening of Dilli Haat in New Delhi and a small store in the chic Khan Market,which has provided a permanent job for artisans and a much desired shopping destination for customers. “I have similar plans for Mumbai. It should happen in the next couple of years,” she says.