Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 2025–26 Becomes a National Hub for Indigenous Craftsmanship
Artisans from Across India Converge in Ahmedabad to Showcase Swadeshi Excellence
From Blue Pottery to Thread Art: Ahmedabad Festival Celebrates India’s Handmade Heritage
Local Artisans Find Global Exposure Through ‘Swadeshi with Global Appeal’ Theme
Traditional Crafts Revived as Thousands of Visitors Explore Unique Handmade Products
Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 2025–26 Showcases India’s Indigenous Arts on a Global Stage
Bilkul Online
Ahmedabad | 11 Dec 2025
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in collaboration with the Gujarat government, has organised the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 2025–26, running from December 5 to January 16. With the theme “Swadeshi with Global Appeal,” the festival aims to bring India’s rich handmade and artisanal heritage under one umbrella, offering a world-class showcase for local creators, MSMEs, and traditional crafts.
Spread across six key locations and 12 hotspots, the Sindhu Bhavan Road venue has become a major attraction, hosting a diverse range of indigenous products and artisans from across the country.
Thread Art Shines at the Festival
At the thread art stall, artist Dilip Harilal Jagde, who has been preserving this intricate craft for over 25 years, demonstrated how he transforms 250 GSM paper into remarkable artworks. After sketching and hand-punching precise holes, he stitches each piece meticulously using thread.
“I also customise names and designs based on customer demand,” he said, adding that he holds a diploma from C.N. Fine Arts, Ahmedabad, and won a State Award in 2019 for his unique designs. He also creates pendants, earrings, keychains, clocks and more—each taking 2–3 days to complete.
Swadesh Brand Empowering Local Artists
Azim Ahmed, Senior Manager at Swadesh, said the brand’s vision is to give a national platform to artisans from every corner of India.
“Our stores bring together crafts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to the North-East—sarees, kurtas, sculptures, carpets, paintings and more. We buy directly from artists so they receive full value immediately,” he said.
He emphasised that many traditional crafts are at risk of fading due to lack of exposure, and Swadesh aims to bring these creators to the centre stage.
Jaipur’s Exquisite Handmade Blue Pottery Draws Attention
Blue pottery artist Hanuman Prajapati from Kotjewar village near Jaipur showcased his handcrafted ceramic items made using glass powder, Multani mitti, gum and China clay sourced from Kishangarh.
Products range from ₹50 to ₹15,000, including plates, mugs, jars, bowls and fridge magnets—all fully handmade.
GI-Tagged Jute Craft from Ghazipur Receives Warm Response
Ghazipur-based artisan Akbar Ali presented his traditional jute wall hangings, a craft sustained by nearly 3,000 women artisans.
“This 80-year-old craft is unique to Ghazipur. Before COVID, we exported extensively. Now, with the Prime Minister’s push for Swadeshi products, we are able to participate in national exhibitions again,” he said.
He added that jute bags and décor items serve as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
Firozabad’s Handmade Glass Bangles Steal the Show
From Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, artisan Naushad Ahmed displayed handcrafted glass bangles, necklaces, and showpieces—an art passed down through generations.
“Our designs blend traditional craftsmanship with modern fashion trends,” he shared, highlighting their popular “family theme” glass showpieces featuring peacocks and their young.
A Festival Strengthening Culture and Commerce
The Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 2025–26 successfully embodies the spirit of “Swadeshi with Global Appeal,” giving local artisans a powerful platform and boosting city-wide cultural and economic activity.
By celebrating handicrafts, sustainability, and entrepreneurial talent, the festival is positioning Ahmedabad as a world-class shopping destination with a proud emphasis on Indian heritage.
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