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A celebration of stories and storytellers, the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival now offer a perfect platform to celebrate the tales and narratives of craft, craftsmen and women, in its many-hued avatars â traditional and contemporary. Direct Create (DC), the online and offline platform that enables makers, designers and buyers to collaborate, co-create and sell handcrafted products, is hosting a vibrant crafts marketplace`the Bazaarâ at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2017. For this year’s festival, DC has brought together a community of over 50 individual makers, designers and buyers to curate this marketplace. The unique crafts showcase honors the versatility and skill of traditional crafts, combining it with a new design language. Celebrating 10 years of the Festival, the Bazaar has a distinct identity. Working across mediums and materials, the makers and craftspeople bring a range that speaks of a creative synergy, power of craftsmanship and the skill of generations. The Bazaar at the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2017 will include an artisan pavilion at Cox & Kings Charbagh and a special Studio section featuring a larger showcase by select designers and manufacturers at the poolside. It will also host the official festival store featuring products that celebrate its decade long journey. The Bazaar will showcase more than 20,000 exquisite and curated, handcrafted products made by a diverse group of makers coming from more across 15 states of India. Every product is handmade, with great detailing, and a sense of love and affection.

All these inspiring makers are translating years of traditional wisdom and creativity into a product, and in todayâÂÂs cluttered world where everyone is seeking something meaningful of their own, these products create a sense of belonging. Direct Create will have MateenDijjo of âÂÂBlossoms of Heavenâ bring his masterpieces in the form of Ikat Pashmina stoles, while Swarang mixes Madhubani art with uber stylish bags and accessories. Saba and Amir from âÂÂBooks Etc.â celebrate everything about books with their range of stylish and fun accessories line. âÂÂCoppreâ has stunning copper and kansa wares that speak of both function, beauty and a unique reinterpretation of tradition. Master craftsman Rajesh Singh from Benares makes innovative toys in wood and lacquer. Siraj, an accomplished artist has customized special Khurja vases for Direct Create while âÂÂHeirloom NagaâÂÂ, a design firm innovates existing Naga textiles using the help of traditional weavers. This is just a glimpse of the range of craftspeople and their crafts that await festival attendees. DC is the brainchild of Sheela and Rajeev Lunkad who have between them decades of experience understanding this specialized language of craft, craft renewal and creating and engaging with sustainable ecosystems.

According to Rajeev Lunkad, Founder and CEO, Direct Create: “With the Direct Create Bazaar at ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival we are hoping to create an amazing space connecting those who appreciate creative evolution of the arts crafts or literature. We are excited to bring the results of the collaboration and co-creation of our artisans and designer community members to what we feel is one of the best platforms to showcase contemporary handcrafting traditions of India.âÂÂâ In India craft continues be a way of life for thousands of families, who have inherited their skills and trade from ancestors and continue to depend on handicrafts for their survival. However, with the rise of mass produced, commoditized goods, the livelihood and knowledge of the artisans is eroding. Direct Create is fostering a community of makers, connecting them to new ways of production and design and empowering them with the best tools available in the market across communication, co-creation, design, project management, e-commerce, finance, marketing, community and a global reach.”