PDKF Artisans Collective 2nd Edition Inaugurated at City Palace Three-day event to continue till January 25, featuring over 70 women artisans from across India

Jaipur, January 23.

The second edition of the PDKF Artisans Collective, organised by the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF), was inaugurated on Friday at the iconic City Palace, Jaipur. The three-day curated event will run until January 25, 2026, bringing together over 70 women artisans from more than 20 Indian states, showcasing 40+ traditional craft forms.

Addressing the gathering during the inaugural session, Princess Gauravi Kumari, General Secretary of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, said that women artisans are the foundation’s greatest source of inspiration. She emphasised that meaningful change in society is possible only when women are provided with the right platform, support, and resources.

She added that the objective of the Artisans Collective is to shift perspectives—positioning women artisans not just as creators, but also as entrepreneurs and marketers.

Princess Gauravi further stated that the platform aims to foster stronger connections and collaborations, with a long-term vision to expand the initiative nationally and internationally. Visitors will experience live demonstrations, workshops, cultural performances, and a night bazaar, offering an immersive insight into India’s rich craft traditions.

Renowned fashion designer Anamika Khanna, who attended as a special guest, highlighted the importance of women’s economic independence. She described craft as a living tradition that requires continuous engagement to survive and expressed her enthusiasm about working closely with women artisans.

The inauguration was also attended by Aman Garg, President – Innovation, Oilmax Energy Pvt. Ltd., and Kamal Nain Pandya, Director, Sahaj.

The PDKF Artisans Collective is presented by Asian Energy Services and Oilmax, sponsored by Sahaj, with The Leela as Hospitality Partner. Other partners include IICD (Institution Partner), Studio Bero (Workshop Partner), Fourhex (Knowledge Partner), Red FM 93.5 (Radio Partner), Rajasthan Routes (Travel Partner), and Jaipur Virasat Foundation (Associate Partner).

Panel Discussion: Blending Business and Craft

A compelling panel discussion on “Blending Business and Craft” was held, featuring celebrated costume designer Neeta Lulla and Akanksha Arora, Creative Director, Tribe Amrapali. The session was moderated by textile designer Meenakshi Singh.

The speakers shared insights on research, storytelling, social media, and e-commerce as key tools for sustaining and scaling craft-based businesses.

Cultural Performances and Night Bazaar

Major attractions on Day One included the artisan market, hands-on workshops by Studio Bero, and captivating cultural performances by Flute Sisters and the Terah Taali folk dance. The day concluded with a vibrant night bazaar.

Upcoming Highlights

Day 2 – January 24:

Sessions on styling, entrepreneurship, and the future of craft, including workshops and panel discussions with leading voices from fashion and culture. The evening will feature a live performance by Lisa Mishra, followed by the night bazaar.

Day 3 – January 25:

Focus on marketing and capacity-building workshops for artisans led by Fourhex, panel discussions on craft as cultural archives, and a youth-centric dialogue with Prajakta Koli. The festival will conclude with cultural performances and the final night bazaar experience.