Natural dye handmade festival opens in Banjarahills, showcasing eco crafts
HYDERABAD: The Crafts Council of Telangana in Banjara Hills buzzed with creativity as the Exclusive Natural Dye Handmade Festival opened its doors on Friday. Hosted by the India Handmade Collective (IHMC), this three-day event runs from December 19 to 21. It showcases eco-friendly textiles, unique handicrafts, and the unsung heroes who preserve handmade traditions.
The festival shines a spotlight on more than a dozen passionate brands and artisan groups, including Nature Alley and Tula, Gandhigram Khadi, Porgai, and Qalambatik. Visitors can explore India’s vibrant craft heritage through handspun, handwoven cotton textiles, each piece dyed with natural colours and adorned with ecoprinting, batik, kalamkari, or lambadi embroidery. The collection spans sarees, dresses, tops, and pants, all tinted with plant-based hues. Beyond textiles, discover terracotta jewellery, coconut shell art, reed baskets, Dakhnii wool creations, musical instruments, wooden toys, and eco-friendly home decor.
A highlight of the inauguration was the presentation of the JC Kumarappa Distributed Economy Award 2025 by the Gandhi Kumarappa Trust. The award recognises individuals who “infuse hope and motivation in rural India” while upholding Gandhian values and preserving heritage.
This year’s awardees are three exemplary artisans: Raunaki Ramji (78), Jalandhar, Punjab, a dedicated handloom weaver. Ramji Marvada (35), Kutch, Gujarat, founder of a Kala cotton enterprise. Saravanan Dandapani (33), Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, who is an anchor for a local textile group initiative.
Beyond admiring the displays, visitors can roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on workshops, learning the art of hand spinning, Batik, wool felting, reed grass toy-making, and palm leaf crafting.
At its heart, the event champions the India Handmade Collective’s mission. Born in 2020 to support the 40 lakh artisans affected by the pandemic, IHMC offers a lifeline to weavers, spinners, and small producers. By linking them with eco-minded buyers across India, the collective uplifts artisan communities and offers a sustainable alternative to the wastefulness of fast fashion.
The festival was inaugurated by a distinguished panel of chief guests, including natural dye expert Jagada Rajappa, retired IAS officer and APCNF Vice Chairman T. Vijay Kumar, educator-actor Geetha Bhascker, and Divya Devarajan IAS, CEO of SERP.
“The festival aims to keep traditional, natural handicrafts alive and allow customers to feel confident, comfortable, and fashionable in a way that is safe for the environment,” said an IHMC representative.
The festival at CCTSPACES is open to the public until December 21, offering an opportunity to support sustainable livelihoods and acquire heirloom-quality, planet-friendly products.
