The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, along with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), organised ‘Indie Haat 2026 – A Celebration of India’s Rich Handloom and Handicraft Heritage’ at the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi.
Indie Haat 2026 is being held from 10 to 19 July 2026 and has been curated as a special initiative linked with Bharat Tex 2026, India’s largest global textile event, scheduled from 14 to 17 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, Government of India, visited Indie Haat 2026 today.
The visit was also attended by Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; other senior officials of the Ministry of Textiles; officials from the Offices of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and Development Commissioner (Handlooms); Members of the Steering Committee of Bharat Tex; and participating artisans and trade visitors.
Addressing the august gathering, Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, Government of India, said, “India’s handlooms and handicrafts are a living expression of our civilisational heritage, creativity and the unmatched skill of our artisans and weavers.
Indie Haat 2026 provides an important platform to showcase this rich legacy before national and international audiences, particularly buyers and visitors coming to Bharat Tex 2026. Such initiatives strengthen the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local by creating greater visibility, market access and livelihood opportunities for artisans, weavers and craft-based enterprises across the country.”
He further added, “The Government of India remains committed to empowering artisans and weavers through design support, market linkages, digital promotion and global exposure. By positioning India’s traditional crafts within the larger textile value chain, Indie Haat will help connect heritage with contemporary markets and take the products of our craft clusters to homes and consumers across the world.”
The special initiative has been thoughtfully curated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to present India’s finest craftsmanship in a contemporary and engaging manner. Indie Haat 2026 features handcrafted and handwoven products created by 48 artisans and weavers and 12 design-led handicraft and handloom brands from NIFT alumni, representing diverse craft traditions from across India.
The crafts on display include Gulabi Minakari, Stone Inlay, Dokra metal craft, musical instruments, manuscript painting, bone inlay on wood, Usta Kala, Pichwai art, Sozni embroidery, Molela clay craft, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, silver filigree, Cheriyal painting, Mysore traditional painting, rosewood inlay, Mata Ni Pachedi, agate craft, papier-mâché, Batik painting, candle making, sandalwood craft, Shola pith, Kantha embroidery, Bagru Block Print, Jamdani sarees, Pine Needle Craft, Muga and Eri Silk, and Ikat of Odisha.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, offering an immersive experience of India’s centuries-old craftsmanship. These demonstrations are expected to create deeper appreciation among buyers and visitors for the skill, time and cultural knowledge embedded in each handcrafted product.
Bharat Tex 2026 will cover 1.6 million square feet of exhibition space, showcasing over 20,000 textile products. The event is expected to attract more than 7,000 international buyers and over 1,30,000 visitors, including policymakers, global CEOs and industry leaders.
Indie Haat 2026 is expected to serve as an important bridge between India’s traditional craft clusters and global markets. By positioning handicrafts and handlooms within the larger textile value chain, the initiative reinforces the Government of India’s commitment to promoting artisan-led growth, preserving cultural heritage and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) remains committed to supporting artisans, strengthening design and market development interventions, facilitating buyer linkages and promoting India’s handcrafted products in domestic and international markets.