AIACA

16/10/2026

Craft Katha 4.0 | Celebrating India’s Legacy of Bharat, Craft Heritage

Craft Katha 4.0 brought together 25 skilled artisans from across India, providing a platform to showcase the country’s diverse handicrafts, traditional craftsmanship, and rich cultural heritage.

Organised by AIACA (All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association) in collaboration with HCL Foundation and the National Crafts Museum, the initiative celebrates India’s vibrant craft traditions and recognises the invaluable contributions of artisans in preserving and promoting the country’s cultural legacy.

15/10/2026

07/10/2026

What happens when a simple piece of wood is burned until it reveals its natural beauty?

Wood burnishing is a traditional craft technique where wooden surfaces are carefully rubbed, polished and finished to create a smooth, refined texture and a subtle natural sheen. With patience, precision and skilled hands, the artisan brings out the character of the wood, transforming a raw surface into something beautifully finished.

At CraftKatha 4.0, discover the skill and patience behind this traditional technique, explore beautifully crafted wooden pieces and meet the artisans who continue to keep this craft alive.

📍 9–10 October | National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi

Rubbed, refined, polished and brought to life.

Handmade Craftsmanship

06/10/2026

What happens when simple pieces of fabric come together to create something new?

Appliqué is a textile craft built by layering and stitching pieces of fabric onto a base, creating colourful patterns, motifs and forms. Each composition reflects the artisan’s precision, patience and understanding of colour and design.

At CraftKatha 4.0, discover the skill behind this traditional craft, explore contemporary appliqué creations and meet the artisans who continue to carry it forward.

📍 9–10 October | National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi
Cut, layered, stitched and brought to life.

06/10/2026

What makes Kantha more than just embroidery?
It is the story held in every stitch.

A traditional embroidery form from Bengal, Kantha uses simple running stitches to transform layers of old cloth into something lasting. Its motifs, textures and patterns reflect the patience, creativity and memories carried through generations of craft practice.

Come closer to the craft, discover handstitched Kantha pieces and meet the makers at CraftKatha 4.0 | Legacies of Bharat.

📍 9–10 October | National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi
Stitched by hand. Woven with memory.

05/10/2026

This October, step into Craftकथा 4.0: Legacies of Bharat, where India’s crafts come alive through the hands, stories and knowledge of the people who keep them going.

From traditional techniques and forgotten stories to the artisans and communities behind them, Craftकथा is an invitation to see, experience, learn and celebrate India’s living craft traditions.

📍 National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi
📅 9–10 October 2026
⏱️ 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Come curious. Leave inspired.
Come be part of the legacy.

05/10/2026

A craft of detailed stitches, metallic threads and generations of skilled handwork.

Zardozi is a centuries-old embroidery tradition where metallic threads are worked into cloth, stitch by stitch, creating richly textured surfaces that shimmer with intricate detail.
At CraftKatha 4.0, meet the women of Kasabdana Mahila Samooh, a collective of around 10 women artisans supported by My E-Haat by HCLFoundation and collectivized and registered by AIACA in 2025. Discover how they are taking this courtly craft into contemporary expressions.

Explore Zardozi garments, badges, jewellery and home furnishings, and witness the skill behind every motif.

📍 CraftKatha 4.0 | Legacies of Bharat
9–10 October | National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi

Take home a piece of the legacy.

02/10/2026

What happens when colour, mirror and thread come together to tell a story?

Rooted in the traditions of the Lambani community, Lambani embroidery brings together vibrant colours, intricate stitches, tiny mirrors and distinctive embellishments. Traditionally adorning garments, each motif reflects the community’s cultural memory, identity and relationship with its surroundings. No two pieces are quite the same—the hands of the artisan leave their own story in every stitch.

Discover the vibrant world of Lambani embroidery, explore handcrafted creations and meet the makers at CraftKatha 4.0 | Legacies of Bharat.

📍 9–10 October | National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi

Take home a piece of tradition, stitched in colour and memory.

HandmadeInIndia EmbroideryArt ArtisanStories

30/09/2026

Bamboo Craft | Where nature takes shape in skilled hands

From the forests and villages of India to the homes of today, bamboo craft transforms a humble natural material into objects of utility, beauty and everyday life.

With its strength, flexibility and organic character, bamboo is carefully split, woven, shaped and finished by skilled artisans, carrying forward techniques rooted in generations of knowledge.

Discover this versatile craft, meet the makers and experience the stories woven into every creation at CraftKatha 4.0 | Crafts Week.

CraftKatha 4.0
Legacies of Bharat
📍 9–13 October

Artisans CraftsOfIndia

29/09/2026

📣 Calling Volunteers for Craftकथा 4.0!

Are you someone interested in event management or videography and looking for hands-on experience in the world of crafts, culture, and events? Come be a part of Craftकथा 4.0: Legacies of Bharat!

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us from 9–13 October 2026 at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi.

Here’s the important bit:
📌 9 & 10 October are compulsory for all volunteers.
📌 11–13 October are optional, so you can volunteer on these days if you’d like to continue the experience.

What will you get to do?

• Coordinate photography and videography
• Support event coordination and on-ground ex*****on
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at how a large-scale craft event comes together

And yes, there are perks!

✨ Certificate of Participation
✨ Hands-on experience in event management, communications and marketing
✨ Opportunity to interact with artisans, craft practitioners, organisations and industry professionals
✨ Build practical experience for your CV/portfolio
✨ Learn how cultural events and craft showcases are planned and executed
✨ Be part of a platform celebrating India’s diverse craft traditions

If you’re someone who enjoys people, ideas, events, storytelling and getting things done, we’d love to have you on the team!

📩 To volunteer, write to: [email protected]

9–13 October 2026 | New Delhi
Come volunteer. Come learn. Come experience Craftकथा.