Kolkata, 11th February 2026: Kolkata emerged as a vibrant meeting ground for handloom textiles, Indian crafts and classical music last weekend as Craft Collective, an institution-led initiative focused on strengthening India’s craft ecosystem, held its inaugural edition from January 29 to February 1, 2026.

Conceived as a platform to shop, explore and learn about Indian crafts and textiles, the four-day event brought together artisan clusters, craft-based enterprises, designers, cultural practitioners and market stakeholders from across the country. Hosted at The Red Bari, the forum offered visitors an immersive experience into India’s living craft traditions, placing equal emphasis on material culture, context and contemporary relevance. The inaugural edition was inaugurated by Mr. Riccardo Dalla Costa, Consul General of Italy in Kolkata.

A special exhibit curated by KARU introduced audiences to the world of stonework and sculptural craft, highlighting the skill, symbolism, and material depth of traditional practices and their relevance in contemporary design.

Both B2B and B2C buyers gathered to experience the wide range of handloom, and handcrafted products from the states of Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal. The artisan clusters participating in the program included the Boko Handloom Cluster (Assam), Kotpad Natural Dyed Handloom Cluster (Odisha), Maheshwar Handloom Cluster (Madhya Pradesh), and many others.

Beyond the exhibition, Craft Collective curated a series of masterclasses and dialogue sessions that deepened engagement with India’s textile and craft ecosystem. These included The Art of Handloom Care by Vikram Joshi, eminent textile technologist and founder of Rangotri, Jaipur; and History, Stories, and Anecdotes: India’s Textile & Craft Economy Through Time by Ms. Ahana Majumder, Assistant Professor, NIFT Kolkata. The programme also featured a masterclass on Crafts, Livelihoods & Impact – Understanding the Human Value Behind What We Buy, led by Malika Dudeja Varma, Saumya Varma and Mahima Varma of SHE Kantha, foregrounding the social and human dimensions of craft-led livelihoods.

As evenings unfolded, the courtyard at The Red Bari transformed into an intimate cultural setting, drawing audiences together for a series of classical music recitals that complemented the craft-led conversations of the day.