At this melange, art is the language of communication

Art has no language and Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar — the on-going festival in the Capital — is a living example. Inviting artists from across the world since 2004, the annual bazaar creates a mélange of artworks.

In its 32nd edition, Israel is the partner country for the 15-daylong festival at Delhi Haat. Five artists from Israel are creating artworks in collaboration with their Indian counterparts in five categories of handicrafts — paper-mache, wire, patch work, felt and embroidery.

Sundari, an artist from Chattisgarh, who has travelled across the world to showcase her paper-mache is now working with Vered Otmy, an artist from Israel. While Sundari speaks Hindi, Otmy talks in English. Both are unaware of each other’s language but are working together to create a common piece of artwork, papermache. “Colour is our language of communication. Despite using different techniques, the commonality lies in the colour. To give a makeover to an earthen pot, we both will use our varied skills and to communicate, we use brush strokes,”says Otmy.

Moreover, there are designers and guides to help them, but the artists seldom need their assistance.

Nihad Dabeet, an artist who works on wire says, “Art is an International language. Mohd. Rafeeq, my fellow and I don’t need a proper language to talk. We speak in the language of art. We’ve decide to mix oxidised copper and colourful metal to come up with something quirky in wires.”

Everyone is in the mela are excited to learn innovative techniques from each other to create a new form of artwork. Janine Golbert, who works on felt says, “I’m happy and excited to learn skills from Indian artists. As far as communication is concerned, we talk with our hands, eyes and smile. Crafts is one of the languages and we have our own way to exchange words.”

IN ITS 32ND EDITION, ISRAEL IS THE PARTNER COUNTRY FOR THE 15DAY LONG FESTIVAL AT DELHI HAAT. FIVE ARTISTS FROM ISRAEL ARE CREATING ARTWORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THEIR INDIAN COUNTERPARTS

Art is an International language. My fellow and I don’t need a proper language to talk. We speak in the language of art

NIHAD DABEET, ARTIST

PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT Sundari, an Indian artisan, and Vered Otmy, an Israeli artisan creating artworks together

PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT Mohd Rafeeq, an artist who works on wire, with his partner Nihad Dabeet