Jaipur, a city renowned for its vibrant crafts, is a visual feast of colour, with streets showcasing bangles, blue pottery, and block-printed textiles. Over the years, it has become a cultural centre, hosting festivals celebrating literature, art, music, dance, history, and cinema.
While international influence has bolstered Jaipur’s cultural prominence, the PDKF Artisan Collective focuses on reconnecting with the heart of the city—its craftspeople.
The Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF) recently curated the Artisan’s Collective, a three-day event celebrating women artisans and entrepreneurs from across the country.
The Royal House of Jaipur
Held from March 6 to 8, 2025, the event was hosted by The Royal House of Jaipur and Princess Gauravi Kumari. The Princess describes Jaipur as a hub for craft. “In the old city, you’ll find streets dedicated to different crafts—bangle-making, sculpting, brasswork. It’s unlike any other place,” she says.
The event not only showcased the artisans’ work but also created opportunities for meaningful discussions. “From the beginning, I wanted to give women artisans a platform,” explains the Princess. “
At many exhibitions, I’ve noticed that men often handle the sales, even when women are the creators. I wanted to change that. Women shouldn’t just be seen as creators—they should also lead as entrepreneurs. This event allowed them to connect with buyers, share their stories, and build networks.”
The Princess emphasizes that the Collective is more than just an exhibition. Alongside the display of crafts, the event included panel discussions, art installations, cultural performances, and business workshops designed to help artisans grow their ventures.
Selecting the participants was a challenge, the Princess admits. “I had to limit it to 50 artisans this year, but I already have a list for the next edition in January 2026.”
She shares a story about Lajwanti, a phulkari artisan from Punjab, who eagerly awaited the invitation. The event also highlighted the lack of women in certain crafts, such as meenakari. “I couldn’t find a single woman artisan in meenakari this year, but it’s a topic I want to explore further in the future,” she adds.
A revival of traditional crafts
The Princess believes these conversations should extend beyond the event. “A three-day event is a strong start, but we need ongoing efforts,” she says, praising industry leaders like Laila Tyabji of Dastkar and Shraddha Jain of The Art Ghar for creating lasting spaces for artisans.
At the PDKF store, there’s a focus on connecting artisans with their creations. The Princess explains, “We include the artisan’s photo and story on each garment tag. It helps customers appreciate the person behind the product.
It’s about giving credit where it’s due and building a personal connection.” Artisans are also featured on the store’s social media and are well-versed in the products they create. “They know the garments so well that they can confidently recommend them to visitors,” she shares.
The Princess envisions a revival of traditional crafts, but with a modern twist. “When Maharaja Jai Singh founded Jaipur, he wanted it to be a haven for craftspeople, supporting 36 distinct crafts. My goal isn’t to bring something new—it’s about reviving this legacy, with women entrepreneurs at the forefront.”
