Nabanna Folk Art and Craft Fair

Nabanna Folk Art and Craft Fair is a 10-day annual folk art and craft fair that is held during the spring celebrations – also known as Basanta Utsav – in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. A unique experience in many ways, the festival brings together “demonstration of the craft in [the] making, direct interaction with artisans… [and] traditional, innovative and climate conscious initiatives.”

First held in 2006, the festival provides craftspersons a platform to directly engage with their patrons and sell their wares. The festival enables these artisans’ participation by providing them with free stalls and accommodation. The ten-day festival begins with a weekend literary fest, Nabanna Earth Weekend, that brings together “authors, performing artists, researchers and innovators from home and abroad, who engage in discussions on arts, stories behind their creation, ideas on social evolution, innovations and ways and means to save the environment.” The festival also includes a variety of events such as song, dance, poetry, and skits performed by artists from the Viswa Bharati University in Shantiniketan. 

Over 19 editions, the participation at the Nabanna festival has grown exponentially, going from a few dozen artisans to over two hundred in 2022. The festival helps showcase various crafts, such as Madhubani and Alpana paintings, Patachitra, Pipli art, pottery, textile, tribal, silver and copper jewellery, brass and bell metal craft and stone carvings among others.

It also includes cultural programmes, a food court, art competition, health camp, and workshops for artisans and students alike. Nabanna is organised by Suresh Amiya Memorial Trust.

Check out more multiarts festivals here.