Mysuru: The nine-day Shilp Samagam Mela concluded at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds in Mysuru on October 19, attracting thousands of visitors and providing a marketing platform for artisans from 12 states and Union Territories. Organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the initiative aims to improve market access, encourage entrepreneurship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans from disadvantaged communities.

The next edition of the fair will begin in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 21, bringing together 75 artisans, including 31 women, to showcase around 40 varieties of traditional handloom and handicraft products. The exhibition will be held at Farm Gate, Khanapara, until October 28 and will remain open to visitors from 11 am to 9 pm.

The initiative supports artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes (DNTs), helping them connect directly with customers and expand their businesses.

Mysuru edition features 83 stalls

The Mysuru edition of Shilp Samagam featured 83 stalls, of which 80 were allotted to artisans, including 37 women. Participants represented Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The exhibition presented a wide variety of traditional products, reflecting the diversity of India’s craft and textile traditions. Handloom sarees, spices, pickles, incense sticks, honey products, block-printed items, leather goods, wooden toys, bags, purses, terracotta products, artificial jewellery and rosewood wall hangings were among the products displayed.

Food stalls serving traditional delicacies also attracted visitors, adding to the appeal of the exhibition.

The fair offered participating artisans an opportunity to display and sell their products directly to consumers, receive feedback and establish connections with potential customers. Such direct marketing opportunities can help small producers reach buyers beyond their usual local markets.

Union ministers visit exhibition

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale visited the Mysuru fair and inspected stalls displaying products made by participating artisans.

Union Social Justice Secretary Sudhansh Pant also visited the exhibition during a two-day official visit to Mysuru. His visit included a review of the ministry’s schemes and programmes in coordination with Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department.

During the exhibition, Pant interacted with stall managers and visitors, gaining insights into the products on display and the support provided to participating artisans.

“The ministry continues to strengthen market access, encourage entrepreneurship and advance the economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities through such initiatives,” Pant said.

The visits highlighted the government’s focus on supporting traditional artisans through programmes that combine welfare assistance with opportunities to generate income through their skills.

975 artisans benefit from 13 fairs since 2022

Rajnish Banker, deputy general manager of the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), said the ministry had been organising Shilp Samagam fairs since 2022.

According to Banker, a total of 975 artisans have benefited from 13 fairs organised so far. The Mysuru edition was the first fair under the initiative for the 2026-27 financial year.

The fairs are designed to complement financial assistance and welfare programmes by providing artisans with direct access to markets. Rather than relying entirely on intermediaries, participants can interact with customers, sell their products and explore opportunities to expand their reach.

The exhibitions also help artisans understand consumer preferences and identify products that may have wider commercial potential.

In addition to promoting sales, the ministry uses the fairs to disseminate information about its welfare and development schemes, including those implemented through three national corporations: the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), NBCFDC and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

BHARAT TULIP to expand artisans’ market reach

An important component of the initiative is BHARAT TULIP, or the Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme. The programme aims to increase the visibility and market reach of products made by beneficiaries through physical outlets and domestic and international e-commerce platforms.

Branding products under the initiative is intended to help artisans build recognition and reach customers beyond exhibitions and local markets.

Online platforms can offer opportunities to reach buyers across geographical boundaries, while physical exhibitions allow customers to examine products and interact directly with their makers. Combining these channels can help artisans explore different routes to market their work.

For many traditional craftspeople, access to customers, product visibility and the ability to establish a reliable sales network are important factors in building sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives such as Shilp Samagam seek to address these challenges by providing structured opportunities to promote their products.

Free stalls and logistical assistance for artisans

The ministry facilitates participation by providing free stalls and support for travel, transportation of goods, daily allowances and meals, including lunch and dinner.

This assistance is intended to reduce the financial burden on artisans travelling from different parts of the country to participate in exhibitions. By covering key participation-related expenses, the initiative helps artisans concentrate on displaying and selling their products.

The fairs also provide a common platform for craftspeople from different states and communities to showcase their work, helping visitors discover the country’s varied handloom, handicraft and traditional food products.

More fairs planned across India in 2026-27

Following the Mysuru edition, the next Shilp Samagam Mela will be held in Guwahati from October 21 to 28 at Farm Gate, Khanapara.

Additional fairs are planned at Dilli Haat in New Delhi, Jodhpur and Lucknow during the 2026-27 financial year.

The ministry and its national corporations will also participate in the India International Trade Fair at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 14 to 27, followed by the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad in February 2027.

The planned exhibitions will provide further opportunities for artisans to present their products to wider audiences and explore new markets.

By combining free exhibition space, logistical assistance, branding and access to physical and online sales channels, Shilp Samagam seeks to turn traditional craftsmanship into a more dependable source of income. The initiative also supports the preservation of India’s diverse artistic traditions by helping craftspeople sustain their skills and livelihoods across generations.