From China’s Suzhou embroidery and Indonesia’s traditional weaving to Nigeria’s wood and calabash art and South Africa’s Zulu leather craft, it will feature authentic crafts, handlooms, textiles and artworks from the Brics community. Beyond exhibitions, there are installations, craft demonstrations and cultural programmes. Four Indian artisans – Riyaz Ahmad (Kashmiri papier-mâché), Mohammed Bilai Khatri (block print), Karan Singh (terracotta craft) and Shadab Ahmed (lac bangles) – are putting up demonstrations of their craft.
Apart from stalls for the member and partner countries, the host has set up corners to demonstrate its state-specific cultural diversity. The venue features a J&K hut, Rajasthan courtyard, Gujarat hut, Odisha courtyard, Bengal hut and Bihar courtyard.
Many artisans who have gathered in New Delhi are globally recognised and have multiple honours to their names. Cuban artist Luis Fariñas León, for instance, was honoured with the Obra de la Vida (lifetime achievement award) in 2023 for his contemporary handicraft. Indonesia’s Yuli Astuti, a pioneer fashion designer, is known for reviving nearly extinct Kudos batik motifs. Apart from winning multiple regional awards, she is also a champion of the country’s creative economy. Artists from multiple countries, including Nigeria and Iran, are acclaimed for preserving and promoting local art forms despite resource constraints and challenges.
Apart from four demonstrators, India features six more artisans. Young entrepreneur and artisan Chawla Shubham for eco-printing, traditional weaver and recipient of the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Award (2025) Jyoti Bhuyan, Solapuri handloom portrait weaver Rajendra Ankam, shawl handweaver and India Book of World Records holder Farhan Rahi, Manipuri weaver Kshetrimayum Indira Devi and Mohan Kumar, known for rosewood inlay and marquetry.
