During my trip to India in September 2024, I was keen to meet the artisans of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
With the help of my driver Satnam - without whom nothing would have been possible - I was able to meet some well-known artisans (like Titan Wala in Bagru who has his own museum and works for the Anokhi brand): after visiting the museum, the father and son explained the manufacturing processes of natural dyes and showed us their blockprint workshop (almost empty due to a national holiday that day).
We also met lesser-known artisans who perpetuate their art with the utmost humility.
And so it was that, near Bhuj in Gujarat, a craftsman welcomed us unannounced, with all the grace of someone entirely devoted to his art. Like many artisans, his workshop is also his home; his wife and youngest daughter were there too. We were able to chat with them briefly, and they honored us by agreeing to pose for this beautiful souvenir photo.
The craftsman opened the doors to his world for us. In his workshop, we watched two workers practicing their art of woodblock printing. On the walls, a collection of blockprints hung like a living gallery, showcasing the richness of the designs and centuries of tradition.
We also had the opportunity to admire his creations and to buy some superb dupattas from him, which have enriched our collection and conveyed a little of this artisanal history through our pieces.
This kind of encounter will remain an unforgettable moment: an immersion in the intimacy of a workshop, where each thread, each motif tells a part of India, between heritage and living creativity.
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