Kutch Diaries - Rann Utsav, A Photo Essay

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Kutch is known for its rich culture, heritage and handicrafts. Being the coastal district of India, it was the destination by land and sea for people from Africa, Middle East and Swat Valley(even today Mundra port is one of the major ports, connecting India to Middle East and Far East through sea).  Its also said, a river system shared between Kutch, Sindh and Rajasthan and Kutch was the major trade hub of Indus Valley delta. Settlement of nomadic migrants from Rajasthan, Sindh, Afghanisthan and Iran, brought with them culture and handicraft.

With the present day scenario, artisans are facing real backing and don't get paid for the work goes into the making. Gujarat Tourism started Rann Ustav a cultural extravaganza which holds a kaleidoscope to various art forms of the region. Started with a month long event, presently the Ustav runs for 3 months(usually from December to March), when people from across India and beyond visit this place to experience its rich culture, heritage and art, along with beauty of Rann of Kutch, the salt flats of Kutch.

The art forms include embroidery, bandhani(Tie and Die), block printing, metal bells, leather art, pottery, wood carving, Lacquered Wood and more. Here is a photo essay of the stalls at Rann Utsav, most pics are linked to Khamir an organisation, which is a platform for craft, heritage and culture of Kutch region. A space to engage and develop its rich creative industry. Do visit the link to know more about the art forms, their origin, the process, the artisans and villages of Kutch where these art forms exist.

Kutch Embroidery

An artisan working on embroidery, you get embroideries on cloth, which you can get stitched on Sari blouse or Kurtis

Lacquered Wood, thats a rotating top and few wooden boxes and spatulas with painted kaleidoscopic designs

Hand lathe and the wooden items in making

Patch Work

An artisan working on patch work

Block Printing

Kutch Weaving

Leather work

Metal Bells, this set of 7 bells, had unique sound in every bell

This home decor had two forms of arts from Kutch, the Kutch embroidery along with the Metal Bell.

More creativity into Bells

The bead work, these are hair clips and finger rings

 

Wood Carvings

This is a wind charm, the pair of dolls dressed in Gujarati dress move in a pattern that resembles Garba, a dance form of Gujarat, with the blow of wind.

Other stalls, not native to Kutch,

Colourful Lanterns

 

Rann Utsav is a great initiative by Gujarat Tourism, and there is no middleman involved and artisans are paid for their work directly. 2001 earthquake destroyed much of Bhuj and its villages, where artisans lost their workshops and raw material. So do visit Rann Utsav and shop these art works to help sustain this wealthy treasure of art. 

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