Showcase of Rajasthan's treasures

A rich treasure trunk from Rajasthan filled with revivalist textiles, heritage travel, luxury craft, fine art from the state is set to be unvieled here.
Beginning November 21, the second edition of 'Treasures of Rajasthan' at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts is being brought here by the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust spearheaded by Diya Kumari of Jaipur.
The two-day show focuses on handpicked textiles, garments and fashion using age-old techniques of leheriya, tie-and-dye and gotapati, complemented by traditional kundan-polki jewellery and contemporary fashion accessories.
Also, being displayed are selected handicrafts, art objects hand tufted carpets, blue pottery, paintings and lacquer products.

Organisers say the exhibition aims to provide opportunities to artists and craftsmen with no prior experience about exhibitions in bigger cities.
"We have invited artists and craftsmen from smaller places of the state and not only from Jaipur who dont have any exposure to a city like Delhi. We attempt to bring these artists in direct connection to tourists and audience. We attempt to present Rajasthan in its full glory and showcase the state's best," says Princess Diya Kumari.

The show features 70 per cent of women, entrepreneurs carrying out their business from shop and practicing craft of the rarest quality. The exhibition aims to revive the dying indigenous industries.

"We aim to revive the state's languishing art and crafts and to provide a means of livelihood to its practitioners. I aim to continue my family tradition of promoting arts started in the 18th century by my father, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II who set up 36 karkhanas or state patronized ateliers of different crafts," adds Kumari.
Despite the ongoing International Trade Fair being in full swing, exhibitors and organizers say they are "confident of a good show and hope to attract a good audience."
"Despite the Trade Fair we believe that the people will come to our exhibition and will appreciate the unique arts of the artists," says Kumari.

The event is partnered by the French Embassy.