From high chairs to HAATH KI SAFAI

Through her new store, veteran politician Jaya Jaitly presents an elite medley of handicrafts that echo the skilled character of desi craftsmanship

Political heavyweight Jaya Jaitly has an arty bent too, a fact little known. The former president of the Samata Party is also the founder-president of a craft association called Dastkari Haat Samiti, which works to channelise the development of crafts in the country. Now, to add extra wings to her passion, Jaitly is all set to unlock the doors of her first store, Dastkari Haat, at Khan Market. We tell you more about the forthcoming enterprise.

Marketing desi flavours: Wire cycles, carved wooden boxes, textile paperweights, Madhubani paintings, papier-mu00e2chu00e9 art, folders made out of recycled maps and fish wall-hangings made out of organdy cloth the store will pool in the most revered shades of Indian craft. Talking about the new effort, the politico-cum-entrepreneur says, "Dastakari Haat will give craftsmen a stable venue to exhibit and sell their products. On the ideation front, we want to prove that class lies even beyond branded labels." The store not only aims to provide a display area to the craftsmen, but also make them monetarily independent. Twenty per cent of the proceeds will be dedicated to the craftsmen.u00a0

Swaagat hai: A vividly handpainted tribal tiger number greets you as you make your way to this the world of crafts, which opens this Thursday. Created by Suparna Bhalla and Mrinalini Aggarwal, the interiors are in stark white with acrylic and glass shelves in blue and orange. Move a little further, and utilitarian bowls and trays painted artisans from Jammu and Kashmir adorn the shelves. Crafts and Maps of India, a large book with a detailed introduction about crafts of each state, makes for a good browse while you are here.

Dastkari Haatu00a0
Where: Mauve & Pink etc, 39, Khan Market
Ring: 24626386, 24692170
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm