Sanatkada fest wraps with a promise
Sanatkada Lucknow Festival saw a two-day extension before its culmination this year. The festival went digital to keep up with the pandemic protocols. The 12th edition, this year, also had a website launched with a craft collection from the artisans as part of the Weaves and Crafts Bazaar.
The fest also hosted an online game of Bait Bazi, a verbal game of Urdu poetry. Aisha Siddiqui, Meena Irfaan and Rehana Ali competed against Sabra Habib, Parveen Sujaat and Nuzhat Sami-uzzama while Mohd Ahsan and Sharib Rudaulvi judged the engaging event.
“As festival was being appreciated by all and so, we announced a two-day extension to offer another round of mouthful platter under the Avadhi Home Cooked Food Fest,” said a fest official.
The highlight of the festival were the online craft demonstrations happening every day, where, various artisans demonstrate and talk about their work, the weaves and crafts they are exhibiting in the festival especially showing the ageold techniques used in their respective crafts. An online craft demonstration along with many other sessions also showcased the process of making of organic jaggery and honey. Abbas from Vintage Village gave the audience a glimpse into the process of honey production.
An engaging session was with Khamir, a joint initiative which works to strengthen and promote the rich artisanal traditions of Kutchh district. Afsheel from the group talked about the craft of copper coated bells, which evolved from the need of the time and region.
Al Maun, a team of ten people working on the marble craft in Agra talked about the age-old tools used in crafting as well as the new technological advances in the industry. Imtiaz from the team spoke about their skills that lie in carving intricate jaalis.
Another demonstration with artist Neha Kaul, who specializes in painting portraits, and paints landscapes, everyday objects, creatures was liked by all. Neha is hearing impaired and expresses her thoughts and feelings through art.
Another beautiful craft that was exhibited was jewellery from Afghanistan. Alternatively known as Kuchi jewellery originated from the Kuchi. It is distinguished on the basis of whether the pieces are made of costly materials, imported pieces, or made of beads. This year about 112 artisans exhibit their handmade crafts, weaves, home furnishing and beauty items.