Dhordo

Situated around 80 km from Bhuj, the village of Dhordo is known for its rich culture and banni hospitality. Handicrafts are an important part of the life of people here as the village is home to the Mutwa community from Sindh, which specialises in thread and needlework. This style of embroidery is called Mutwa embroidery, and includes a chain of stitches inset with mirrors, silver jewellery and leather embroidery. Tourists can buy beautiful articles and items featuring Mutwa embroidery.

 

Dhordo

Rann Utsav

The Rann Utsav is a fun festival that takes place annually at the Rann of Kutch. A vibrant carnival that brims with song, dance, culture, adventure and art, it is said that during it,  the beauty of the pristine land of Bhuj is accentuated on full moon nights. Golf carts, ATV rides, paintball, camel safaris, game cart excursions, paramotoring, and horse and camel rides are also a part of the celebration. Those looking for peace and relaxation can participate in various meditation and yoga sessions conducted during the festival. Several aspects of Gujarati culture are on display as performers roam about in their colourful clothes, vendors sell tasty local dishes and folk shows are conducted. The festival dates may vary every year, but it is usually organised from November to February. The celebrations begin in the city of Bhuj and move on to other towns in the region.

Rann Utsav

Dhamadka Block Printing

Dhamadka is a small village in Gujarat that is known for block printing. It was a major centre for the artisans engaged in ajrakh block-printing technique. There are many printers using madder roots for printing red colour, rusty iron solution for black colour and indigo for blue colour. These fabrics are called ajrakhs and the designing on these fabrics is geometric in shape. Many workshops in India use chemical dyes to do ajrakh block-printing. However, in Gujarat there are many artisans who use natural dyeing technique with old recipes and local plant material. The village is located approximately 50 km east of Bhuj.

It is believed that 400 years ago, a group of Khatris settled in Dhamadka and started practising their craft. This is said to be the roots of the art form that has taken over the region now.

Dhamadka Block Printing

Bhujodi Textile Handicrafts

A 500-year-old village in Kutch, Bhujodi is the hub of art and craft. Located about 8 km from Bhuj, one can actually see a variety of art forms being practiced here. From block printers and weavers to tie-dye artists, over 2,000 workers are engaged in creating beautiful handicrafts. Lying a stone's throw away is the Ashapura Crafts Park that was set up to give artisans a platform to display and sell their works. Shrujan,a non-profit, helps women sell their crafts. Embroidery exhibits, a production centre and local architecture can be admired here.

The weavers of Bhujodi are believed to be Vankars or Mughal migrants who came 500 years ago from Rajasthan. They were initially engaged in weaving woollen blankets and veil cloths for the Rabari community.

Bhujodi Textile Handicrafts