Celebrating craft and culture: Miraas exhibition showcases traditional arts and music; Local artisans share stories behind their crafts

Tucked in a quiet lane of Koregaon Park, Miraas, a celebration of music, art and culture unfolded for Punekars. From the music of Kutch musicians Mooralala, Sukhdev and Karamsingh, to weaves, carvings and paintings, there was a lot on offer.

The exhibition offered a simple and direct way for visitors to see these traditions up close and meet the people who keep them alive. Every artifact, every stall and every person carries a story here.

Weaving, painting and embroideryIn one corner, Tangaliya weaving reveals its raised dot motifs that appear identical on both sides of the cloth. Rathod Babubhai, an eleventh generation artisan, says, "Our entire process involves handwork.

We don't use machines. The loom is part of everyday life." On another side, Cheriyal paintings glow in warm folk tones, each panel echoing an older world. “Our paintings were always linked to stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Krishnaleela,” says Rakesh Nakash, an artist.

On another table, Soof embroidery grows quietly across the cloth. Dayaben Dohat, who trains women in Soof embroidery work says that she learned it at the age of 10.

Clay, fire and the slow shaping of formCeramic pottery takes shape in earthy tones as Abdul Samad talks about his process. “All colours are naturally-occurring and every piece is painted before it goes into the oven," he says. Nearby, terracotta sculptures rise in hollow, balanced forms perfected over centuries, as Hitesh Kumhar, carrying forward a 950-year tradition, shares that each piece takes about 45 days to make.

Fabrics that tell storiesDeep reds and blacks of Bagh print sit drying in the open air, while leather puppets from the Tolu Bommalata tradition glow softly when held toward the sun. Pattachitra scrolls and palm leaf panels complete the picture, each piece carrying disciplined linework and mythological imagery.“There are no shortcuts in Bagh print, everything from the dyes to the process is completely natural and done with great care."- Mohammed Yusuf Khatri, an acclaimed artist