Attend the Rajasthani Crafts Mela by CSMVS in Mumbai this week

Artisanal products that will be on show at the fair

To catch the colourful strands of an Indian community vis-à-vis its aptitudes, an outsider should visit a mela. Even a neighbourhood fair in the country offers a window into the cultural richness of its surrounding areas. And traditional skills prance around on more prominent mela grounds. On the one hand, fairs help artisans assess their market share and meet city-based target groups, while on the other, they introduce buyers to a range of local crafts that are upgrading to remain relevant.

Rajasthani Crafts Mela that's being organised by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) - in association with Mehrangarh Museum Trust and non-profit Sampoorn - facilitates the bridging of social and labour sectors.

"This outreach programme is an extension of our Garden and Cosmos - Royal Paintings from Jodhpur-Marwar exhibition. Whatever the artisans earn at the fair will be their share," said Joyoti Roy, head of museum marketing. From pottery and applique work to silver jewellery and zari designs, this mela will celebrate the treasures of Rajasthan.

Back of the beyond

Pichhwai artist Mukul Joshi among other proponents of the genre will present his creations at the fair. Pichhwai painting draws from Hindu religious traditions and gets its name from the Sanskrit word pichh - anything that hangs in the background. A recurrent motif in Pichhwai pieces is the dancing cow and Shrinathji.

Masters of leather

Are you a fan of embroidered leather satchel bags and juttis? This fair will have it all, directly sourced from Harmada and Jawaja in Rajasthan's Ajmer district. The two villages are known to be the centre points of leather products. Craftsmen from these areas can mould leather for musical instruments, chairs, tables, home décor and lamps, alongside everyday fashion products, too.

Rains live here

Attend a talk by Dr Priyaleen Singh, a professor of architectural conservation to learn how garden designs uphold the sights, sounds and scents of monsoon.

FROM October 13 to 16, 11 am to 7 pm; talk on October 15, 6 pm
AT Coomaraswamy Hall/Visitors' Centre Auditorium (for the talk), CSMVS, Fort.
LOG ON TO csmvs.in