New Delhi, April 9 NGO Dastkar announced on Thursday that it will host a "Solidarity Bazaar" at its Nature Bazaar venue in Andheria Modh, Chhattarpur, from April 9 to 20, to support artisans affected by a devastating fire last month.
The fire on March 15 gutted 42 stalls and impacted 26 artisan groups at Dastkar's Nature Bazaar, destroying months of work, and in many cases, generations of labor, memory, and cultural heritage.
In the aftermath, Dastkar has been working with affected artisans to provide immediate relief and mobilize resources for their recovery, with the bazaar dedicated entirely to their rehabilitation.
Despite the losses, as many as 20 of the 26 affected artisan groups are participating, underscoring their determination to rebuild their livelihoods.
"Craft products are not just made by hands, but by heads, hearts, and ancestral memory. The fire that destroyed so much was especially cruel, wiping out years of work and generational designs. The piles of black ashes represented years of work and hopes.
"They also contained pieces made by craftspeople's fathers and mothers — pieces gone forever, with designs and motifs descended through the generations,” said Laila Tyabji, founder of Dastkar, in a statement.
The event will feature over 90 stalls offering handcrafted apparel, home furnishings, décor, pottery, accessories, upcycled products, and natural wellness goods, along with a curated food court serving regional cuisines.