Not-for-profit. Nationwide. Rooted in the hand.
The Dastkari Haat Samiti is a not for profit national association of craftspeople. It as established in 1986 and is one of the lder and experienced craft organisations in he country working for the preservation and development of India’s craft skills. It has been recognized and supported in its work by several ministries of the Government of India, the UNDP office in India, UNESCO in India, the World Bank in India, and major corporate sector groups for specific projects. It works with schools, Chambers of Commerce, and women's organisations. It constantly creates new avenues for hand skills to flourish such as marketing platforms, publications, design input, thematic exhibitions, educational programmes and outreach projects between countries. The main objective of the organisation is to elevate the social and economic status of India's craftspeople by developing and promoting their skills to ensure the preservation of their livelihoods and India's cultural heritage.
40 years of building livelihoods through craft
A marketplace that changed how India buys craft
The Samiti conceived of and proposed the establishment of an innovative marketing infrastructure for traditional artisans known as Dilli Haat, set up in 1994 jointly by Delhi Tourism (Government of Delhi), the Ministry of Textiles (Government of India), and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation.
This crafts marketplace is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional village market. Participants stay only for a fortnight, enabling a kaleidoscope of products throughout the year. Dilli Haat has enabled over 75,000 small crafts producers to conduct direct sales of crafts and handloom textiles.
Its functioning is administered by the Office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and Handlooms, and the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation. The Government of India has since adopted Dilli Haat as a model to be replicated in 30 cities across India — becoming a widely visited and acknowledged landmark of the capital, and a major achievement of the Samiti in expanding marketing avenues for crafts.
The Crafts Council of Sri Lanka and UNESCO drew on the Samiti's expertise to model Colombo Pola on the Dilli Haat concept. Concept papers were also shared with government bodies in Nepal and South Africa.
Craft as a language between nations
From Dostkari with Pakistan to Lotus Links with Vietnam and Afri-Khadi with South Africa, the Samiti has run cross-border skill exchanges connecting Indian artisans with makers across the world.
A national association of craftspeople begins, working city by city with artisans across India.
Conceived and proposed by the Samiti — a market that has since enabled over 75,000 crafts producers, replicated in 30 cities.
24 state craft maps exhibited at the Frankfurt Book Fair, inaugurated by President APJ Abdul Kalam.
The largest digital exhibition of 52 Indian crafts, with 200+ photographs documenting artisan communities.
Eight installations representing the work of over 400 craftspeople, at the heart of India's new Parliament.
Where our work has stood
The Indian Crafts Journey exhibition travelled here when India was Guest of Honour.
Craft interpretations of the UN Millennium Development Goals, exhibited at UN Day 2007.
The Shilp Gallery — eight installations representing over 400 craftspeople.
The largest digital exhibition of Indian crafts, viewed worldwide.