From Kolhapuri Chappals to Naga Crochet Dolls: Eight Artisans Take India’s Traditional Crafts to the World
The participation of these eight craftspeople also brought attention to the role of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in supporting traditional trades.
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Behind every handmade product lies a skill passed down through generations, a connection to local traditions and the effort of an artisan to keep a craft alive. At the Cultural Bazar organised during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi on October 26–27, 2026, these traditions found a platform to reach national and international audiences.
His journey reflects how exhibition platforms and digital marketplaces can help traditional craftspeople connect with new buyers without losing the character of their craft.
For artisans working with stone, expanding a business requires both craftsmanship and access to customers who appreciate the time and effort involved in creating each piece.
His work highlights how traditional footwear can retain its cultural identity while reaching customers through contemporary retail platforms.
Traditional toys are an important part of India's craft heritage, combining local materials, artistic techniques and cultural knowledge. Deepu S represents this tradition through Channapatna and Kinhal toys from Karnataka.
His experience illustrates how financial support and improved equipment can help craftspeople strengthen the quality of their products while continuing their traditional work.
For artisans like Nasim, the opportunity to combine traditional techniques with improved tools and wider market access can support the growth of their businesses while preserving the distinct character of their products.
Her work demonstrates how handmade products can serve as a means of expressing cultural identity while creating opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurship.
Ultimately, preserving India's craft heritage means more than protecting traditional designs and techniques. It means creating conditions in which the people who practise these crafts can continue their work with dignity, economic opportunity and recognition for their skills.
Eight artisans from eight Indian states came together under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ PM Vishwakarma Scheme to showcase the diversity of India's traditional craftsmanship. Their products represented different regions, materials and techniques, but shared a common purpose: preserving indigenous skills while creating better opportunities for the people who practise them.
From intricate Dokra metalwork in Jharkhand and marble sculptures in Madhya Pradesh to traditional Kolhapuri footwear in Maharashtra, Channapatna toys in Karnataka and crochet dolls inspired by Naga culture, the exhibition offered visitors a glimpse into India's living craft traditions. Delegates attending the BRICS Parliamentary Forum also appreciated the products made by these artisans, known as Vishwakarmas.
The participation was more than an exhibition of handmade goods. It highlighted the importance of connecting traditional artisans with new markets, modern tools and opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.
Eight artisans, eight stories of craftsmanship
Each artisan brought a distinct regional identity to the Cultural Bazar, demonstrating how traditional knowledge continues to find relevance in changing times.
1. Makbul Jadu Patiya: Preserving Jharkhand’s Dokra metal craft
Makbul Jadu Patiya represents the traditional Dokra metal craft, known for its intricate designs and the ancient lost-wax casting technique. The craft involves specialised metalworking skills that allow artisans to create distinctive decorative objects.
Through the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Makbul participated in exhibitions such as Dilli Haat and the State Trade Fair, gaining wider exposure for his work. His onboarding on Amazon has also opened opportunities to reach customers beyond local markets.
2. Anurag Sahu: Turning marble into art in Madhya Pradesh
From Jabalpur, Anurag Sahu specialises in hand-carved marble statues, religious articles, souvenirs and home décor products made using New Bhedaghat Marble.
His work represents the GI-tagged Jabalpur Stone Craft tradition, which combines traditional techniques with detailed carving. Through the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Anurag has been onboarded on Amazon and Flipkart, enabling him to showcase his products to a wider audience.
3. Bajirao Shamrao Satpute: Keeping Kolhapuri footwear traditions alive
Maharashtra’s traditional leather craftsmanship found representation through Bajirao Shamrao Satpute, who creates handcrafted Kolhapuri chappals.
His work features intricate detailing and the distinctive Nach Mauri Patta design, reflecting the region’s footwear-making heritage. Participation in a state-level exhibition and onboarding on Amazon through the scheme have helped him explore better branding and wider market opportunities.
4. Deepu S: Bringing Karnataka’s toy-making heritage to new homes
Under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, he received a toolkit, completed skill training and joined the Meesho e-commerce platform. These opportunities have helped him present his traditional products to a wider customer base.
His work demonstrates how support for artisans can help regional toy-making traditions remain visible in a market increasingly shaped by mass-produced goods.
Visited various stalls at the BRICS Summit Mela held at Parliament House, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage, indigenous products and traditional craftsmanship.
— Dr K Laxman (@drlaxmanbjp) October 27, 2026
Particularly enjoyed visiting the Pochampally handloom stall from Telangana, where I purchased a beautiful… pic.twitter.com/2TAz6Nprp4
5. Dheeraj Kumar: Sculpting Bihar’s connection with Buddhist heritage
Dheeraj Kumar creates wooden and stone sculptures of Lord Buddha and other deities, drawing on Gaya’s historical and cultural connections with Buddhism.
His creations are supplied to Bodh Gaya and other districts across Bihar. Through the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, loan assistance helped him purchase raw materials, while a toolkit improved his ability to cut, grind and polish his work with better finishing.
6. Mohamad Nasim: Rajasthan’s colourful lac bangle tradition
Mohamad Nasim brings Rajasthan’s jewellery-making heritage to life through traditional lac bangles decorated with vibrant colours, decorative stones and handcrafted designs.
Through the scheme, he received skill training, a modern toolkit and loan assistance. He was also onboarded on Amazon, giving him another channel to reach customers.
7. Masrat Fayaz: Carrying Kashmir’s textile traditions forward
Masrat Fayaz represents Jammu and Kashmir through her tailoring work, which includes shawls, stoles, traditional Kashmiri pherans and Pashmina shawls.
Through the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, she enhanced her tailoring skills and gained access to modern tools. These have helped improve product quality, finishing and productivity. Her participation in government exhibitions has also created opportunities to showcase her creations to a wider audience.
Her work reflects the importance of sustaining Kashmir’s textile traditions while helping artisans adapt to evolving customer expectations.
8. Throngli Sangtam: Bringing Naga culture into handmade crochet dolls
From Nagaland, Throngli Sangtam creates handmade crochet dolls inspired by traditional Naga attire, tribal motifs and cultural symbols. Through yarn and detailed handwork, her creations bring elements of regional identity into contemporary craft products.
With more than 100 dolls in stock, she has participated in Dilli Haat and is associated with the collective Mother’s Craft. Loan assistance helped her invest in quality raw materials, while an MoU with the Department of Women Resource Development has opened opportunities to sell her products through the MyKi store.
How the PM Vishwakarma Scheme supports traditional artisans
The participation of these eight craftspeople also brought attention to the role of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in supporting traditional trades. The scheme seeks to strengthen artisans through measures such as skill training, toolkit support, credit assistance and market linkages.
For the artisans featured at the Cultural Bazar, these forms of support have translated into opportunities to improve their techniques, acquire tools, purchase raw materials, participate in exhibitions and explore e-commerce platforms.
Access to wider markets is particularly important for craftspeople whose work is closely connected to specific regions and traditional production methods. Online platforms and exhibitions can help them reach customers who may otherwise have limited access to their products.
At the same time, preserving craftsmanship requires more than selling finished goods. It also involves recognising the knowledge, labour and cultural significance behind each creation.
Preserving heritage while creating opportunities
The Cultural Bazar at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum brought together traditional craftsmanship and an international platform. By showcasing artisans from eight states, the PM Vishwakarma stall highlighted the range of skills that contribute to India's cultural heritage.
Each product carried a distinct story: the metalworking techniques behind Dokra craft, the detailed carving of marble, the traditional designs of Kolhapuri chappals, the artistry of handmade toys, the textile traditions of Kashmir and the cultural inspiration behind Naga crochet dolls.
For these artisans, greater visibility can open doors to new customers and markets. For India, their participation highlights the importance of supporting the communities that keep traditional skills alive.
As handmade products find new avenues through exhibitions, digital marketplaces and institutional support, the challenge is to ensure that the artisans themselves benefit from this growing recognition.