Crafts Bazaar, a crafts expo showcasing handmade works of artisans and weavers from across India under one roof, was inaugurated today at Suguna Kalyana Mandapam. The expo will be open to visitors with free entry until July 21, 2026, from 10 am to 8 pm.
The expo was inaugurated by the members of Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu (CCTN) and Coimbatore’s key women personalities, including Radha Prasad, Managing Director of VGM Hospital and Sujani Balu, former President, CCTN.
The flagship annual event, organised in Coimbatore by the Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu (CCTN), brings together craftspeople from across India. The bazaar provides a platform for master craftspeople, artisans and weavers to showcase and sell their creations to a large number of customers under one roof.
The event also offers the public an opportunity to interact directly with artisans and purchase their handmade products. It provides valuable exposure and feedback to craftspeople regarding product development, packaging and pricing, helping them sustain their livelihoods.
The stalls are provided at a minimal cost, mainly to ensure the commitment and participation of artisans throughout the six-day bazaar.
Nambikkai, meaning hope or belief in Tamil, is an initiative by CCTN to support selected artisans by assisting with travel, logistics and participation expenses. The initiative was launched in 2023 to provide opportunities for talented craftspeople who face financial challenges in travelling and participating in the bazaar.
This year, the initiative supports:
- Buriya Trust from Tiruvannamalai, a cluster working on Lambadi embroidery. This is an ongoing CCTN project focused on design development and marketing, empowering more women to practise the craft and become financially independent.
- Shell Craft, a slowly declining craft form from Kanyakumari district.
- Mulagumoodu Convent Embroidery, a traditional craft that represents the confluence of Indian hand skills with Victorian-era influences.
- Handloom cotton sarees from weavers of Udumalpet, who are struggling to sustain their craft amid competition from power looms.
Additionally, CCTN has extended support this year to select artisans affected by the massive fire at Dastkar, Delhi, which resulted in the loss of their year-long work and caused significant financial hardship.
Artisans affected by the Dastkar fire include:
- Afghanistan Kilims and Carpets
• Sandhur Kushala Kendra – Lambadi Embroidery, Karnataka
• Bent Handicrafts – Cane and Bamboo Craft, Assam
• Chinar Valley – Hand-painted metal products and papier-mâché, Kashmir
Under its regular curation category, the bazaar features a wide range of textiles, arts, crafts and paintings.
