6 January 2015

Kutch Diaries - Rann Utsav, A Photo Essay

Previous post on Kutch Diaries - Kutch Diaries - Rann of Kutch
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.
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch 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.
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
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.
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
Kutch Embroidery
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
An artisan working on embroidery, you get embroideries on cloth, which you can get stitched on Sari blouse or Kurtis
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
Lacquered Wood, thats a rotating top and few wooden boxes and spatulas with painted kaleidoscopic designs
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
Hand lathe and the wooden items in making

Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
Patch Work
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
An artisan working on patch work
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, Block Printing
Block Printing
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, Block Printing

Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
Kutch Weaving
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, leather work
Leather work
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, leather work

Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, leather work

Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, Kutch bells
Metal Bells, this set of 7 bells, had unique sound in every bell
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch bells
This home decor had two forms of arts from Kutch, the Kutch embroidery along with the Metal Bell.
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch bells
More creativity into Bells
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch bead work
The bead work, these are hair clips and finger rings
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch bead work

Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch bead work
 
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft, kutch wooden work
Wood Carvings
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft, Kutch Handicraft
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,
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft
Colourful Lanterns
Rann Utsav, Rann of Kutch, Kutch, Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, Handicraft

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. 
Next post on Kutch Diaries Fortified Palaces of Bhuj

18 comments:

  1. Good to see Rann utsav through your photographs. Will wait for more :)

    I have been thinking of Rann Utsav for few years, but couldn't plan.. Let's see...

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  2. Thank you Vijay. Do plan your visit soon and share with us your travelogue..

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  3. Its so colorful.... and traditional..... this should happen in all major cities.... not only restricted to one region but all regions of India .... do visit www.rohitdassani.com

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  4. So attractive! So inviting.
    I hope I get to see it sometime. Been hearing about it on the radio here in B'lore (yeah) :)

    And this is an annual event?

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  5. hey it is a shopper's paradise !!! Wud love to visit it....we have a similar fair very year in Odisha which is called the 'Bali jatra'....do visit this link if you have the time -
    http://authenticoriyafood-oriyarasoi.blogspot.in/2014/11/bali-jatra-2014-odishas-largest-fair.html

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  6. Recently a friend told me about this festival.. looks like fun indeed..
    Nice post.. interesting stalls.. thanks for giving a peek into the Rann Utsav..

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  7. Thank you all..
    @Rohit, true this has to be done at other regions too.
    @Harshita, thank you :)
    @ D. Nambiar: Yes, this is the same annual event.
    @Sweta: that sounds great, will have a look
    @Manjulika: there is lot more than these stalls at Rann Utsav, do visit my other posts on Kutch here, http://meghanahassan.blogspot.in/search/label/Kutch.

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  8. Have heard about Rann Utsav...nice to see your photos Meghna...very well captured :-)

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  9. So colorful! Thank your for a virtual tour of kutch.

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  10. hey you guys are going to keep me busy.

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  11. Good to read all the details of Rann.. keep writing

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  12. Thank you all..
    Kutch is a place which I would love to visit every year, during Rann Utsav.. Just in love with everything abt this place, rann, artforms, food, people..

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  13. Hi, I have nominated you for Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Please accept it and keep inspiring us with your writings and photos.
    Poems and Stories for Children
    www.ps4kids.blogspot.in

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  14. Nice pictures, this year rann utsav will start from 1st November 2016, for details you may visit http://www.rannutsavonline.com

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