Dastkari Haat Samiti

The organization
The Dastkari Haat Samiti was established in 1986 and is considered to be one of the eminent craft organizations in the country. It has been recognized and supported in its work by different ministries of the Government of India, the
United Nations of_ice in India, UNESCO in India, the World Bank in India, and major corporate sector groups for speci_ic projects. It works with schools, Chambers of Commerce, Women’s organizations and with craftspeople in
rural and urban areas across India.

It is the creator of Dilli Haat, a major marketplace in New Delhi and regularly holds major marketing events to economically empower craftspeople and preserve India’s cultural heritage.

It has earlier held a major exhibition titled “The Indian Crafts Journey” documenting the crafts and textiles of the country with art installations and large-sized highly artistic maps, which was inaugurated by the President of India in
Feb 2005 in New Delhi. After the tremendous success and appreciation accorded to the exhibition Delhi Tourism as part of a program with the Mayor of London mounted it at Trafalgar Square in June 2005. The Government of India also selected this exhibition to the World Book Fair in Frankfurt in Oct 2006 when India was the guest country.

The Samiti has recently completed 8 major art, craft and textile installations for the entire Shilp Gallery of the New Parliament Building, commissioned by the Culture Ministry through the IGNCA. They have been made with the works of 400 craftspeople entirely in natural materials and handwork.